Information recording medium, information recording apparatus and method, information reproducing apparatus and method, information recording/reproducing apparatus and method, recording or reproduction control computer program, and data structure containing control signal

ABSTRACT

An information recording medium is provided with: a file for storing object data which constitutes a series of content information, such as picture information or video information and audio information, and a play list information file for storing play list information which defines a reproduction sequence of the object data by a unit of play list. The information recording medium is further provided with a disc information file for storing a plurality of title play lists including information for specifying the play list information which defines the play list to be reproduced, Pre command information and Post command information, which indicate commands to be executed before and after the reproduction, respectively, based on the play list information.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an information recording medium, suchas a high-density optical disc, on which various information can berecorded at high density, such as main picture information or videoinformation, audio information, sub picture information, andreproduction control information, an apparatus for and a method ofrecording the information onto the information recording medium, anapparatus for and a method of reproducing the information from theinformation recording medium, an apparatus and a method capable of bothrecording and reproducing the information, a computer program forcontrolling the record or the reproduction, and a data structureincluding a control signal for controlling the reproduction.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

DVDs are generalized as optical discs on which various information isrecorded, such as the video information, the audio information, the subpicture information, and the reproduction control information. Accordingto the DVD standard, the video information (e.g. video data), the audioinformation (e.g. audio data), and the sub picture information (e.g. subpicture data) are individually packetized with the reproduction controlinformation (e.g. navigation data) and are multiplexed and recorded on adisc in the “program stream” format of the MPEG 2 (Moving PictureExperts Group phase 2) standard, which is a highly efficient encodingtechnique. In the video information among them, there is only one streamof data compressed according to the MPEG video format (ISO 13818-2)within one program stream. On the other hand, the audio information isrecorded in a plurality of methods (namely, linear PCM, AC-3, MPEGaudio, and the like). The audio information can exist up to 8 streamswithin one program stream. The sub picture information is defined with abit map and is compressed and recorded in a run-length method. The subpicture information can exist up to 32 streams within one programstream. In the case of the DVD, as described above, a plurality ofstreams of the chooseable or selectable audio information (e.g. streamsof a stereo sound, a surrounding sound, an original English sound, adubbed Japanese sound, and the like) and a plurality of streams of thechooseable or selectable sub picture information (e.g. streams ofJapanese subtitle, English subtitle, and the like) are multiplexed andrecorded by using the program stream format, for one stream of the videoinformation in one movie or film, for example.

On the other hand, the “transport stream” format of the MPEG 2 standardhas been recently standardized, and this is appropriate for datatransmission. According to this transport stream format, a plurality of“elementary streams” are transmitted at the same time. For example, aplurality of shows or programs, such as many TV channels of satellitedigital broadcasting, are time-division-multiplexed to one satellitewave and are transmitted at the same time. Namely, in the transportstream format, it is possible to time-division-multiplex the elementarystreams of a plurality of main pictures or video, each of which has alarge data amount, and transmit them at the same time. For example, itis possible to transmit at the same time a plurality of movies recordedon a plurality of DVDs.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

However, in the above described DVD, although the video information ofone stream can be multiplexed and recorded with the audio information,the sub picture information, and the like of a plurality of streams, thevideo of the plurality of streams cannot be multiplexed and recorded.Namely, the DVD, on which recording is performed on the basis of theprogram stream format of the MPEG 2, has such a problem that a pluralityof shows or programs cannot be essentially multiplexed and recordedthereon, which are transmitted at that same time in the transport streamformat of the MPEG 2 as described above.

Moreover, even if there is a disc which has such a high transmissionrate and has such a high recording capacity or such a high recordingdensity as to be capable of recording at the same time the plurality ofshows or programs transmitted in the transport stream format, it isextremely important to try to save the recording capacity on the discand reduce the processing load at the time of the reproduction.Especially, in the reproduction of the disc of this kind, as opposed toa tuner for performing simple tuning, there is such a strong request asto accurately perform interactive reproduction unique to an informationreproducing apparatus or special reproduction processing, such assearching and scanning. It is technically difficult to try, whileresponding to the above request, to save the recording capacity on thedisc and reduce the processing load at the time of the reproduction,which is a problem.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide aninformation recording medium, an apparatus for and a method of recordinginformation, an apparatus for and a method of reproducing theinformation, an apparatus for and a method of recording and reproducingthe information, a computer program for controlling the record or thereproduction, and a data structure including a control signal forcontrolling the reproduction, which make it possible to efficientlyrecord one or a plurality of titles provided with complicated and alarge amount of content information that enables the interactive orspecial reproduction, for example, and to efficiently reproduce adesired one of them relatively easily.

The above object of the present invention can be achieved by aninformation recording medium on which one or a plurality of titles, eachof which is a logically-grouped information unit, are recorded, providedwith: an object data file for storing object data which constitutes aseries of content information; a play list information file for storinga plurality of play list information which defines a reproductionsequence of the object data stored in the object data file by a unit ofplay list which is logically accessible; and a disc information file forstoring a plurality of information groups including, as reproductioncontrol information for controlling the reproduction of the object datafile, (i) play list specification information for specifying one playlist information which defines the play list to be reproduced from amongthe plurality of play list information stored in the play listinformation file, (ii) Pre command information which indicates a commandto be executed before the reproduction based on the one play listinformation, and (iii) Post command information which indicates acommand to be executed after the reproduction based on the one play listinformation, the title being logically comprising one or more than oneof the plurality of information groups, the Pre command information andthe Post command information including a command table on which acommand group comprising zero, one or more statements are written, thePre command information including a Pre command pointer which is writtenseparately from the command table and which specifies the address of thecommand to be executed before the reproduction included in the commandtable, the Post command information including a Post command pointerwhich is written separately from the command table and which specifiesthe address of the command to be executed after the reproductionincluded in the command table, the Pre command information and the Postcommand information including a command pointer which specifies theaddress of each of the Pre command pointer and the Post command pointer.

According to the information recording medium, the object data filestores object data which constitutes a series of content information.Here, “the series of content information” is constructed, for example,of the video information (video data), the audio information (audiodata), the sub picture information (sub picture data), and the like.This various content information is multiplexed in the format of atransport stream of the MPEG 2 described above, for example.Alternatively, it may not be multiplexed in the above manner.

The play list information file stores a plurality of play listinformation which defines a reproduction sequence of the object datastored in the object data file, by a unit of play list which islogically accessible by an information reproducing apparatus. The playlist may be, for example, a group of Items which are logicallyaccessible. The play list information may include Item information whichspecifies the group of Items.

The disc information file stores a plurality of information groups (e.g.“title play lists” as described later) including, as the reproductioncontrol information for controlling the reproduction of the object datafile: the play list specification information, the Pre commandinformation, and the Post command information. Especially here, the playlist specification information specifies one play list information whichdefines the play list to be reproduced from among the plurality of playlist information stored in the play list information file, as describedabove. The Pre command information indicates a command to be executedbefore the reproduction based on the one play list information, whilethe Post command information indicates a command to be executed afterthe reproduction based on the one play list information. Here, the “Precommand” is a command which gives instructions for the automaticexecution of audio stream selecting of the above-described transportstream or the like in the reproduction, and for the execution ofvarious-parameter setting or the like required in the reproduction. Onthe other hand, the “Post command” is a command which gives instructionsfor the execution of various-parameter processing for a process ofending the reproduction, and for the execution of branch-conditionjudging or the like. Since even the play list information which definesthe same play list can be combined with a different Pre command and adifferent Post command, due to this combination, it is possible toconstruct a different title. Moreover, since even the same play listinformation can be specified by a plurality of play list specificationinformation, due to this specification, it is possible to construct adifferent title.

Incidentally, in the above-described DVD, the reproduction is performedusing the reproduction control information (what is called “PGCI”) whichis constructed by unifying the play list of the present invention andthe commands to be executed before and after the reproduction of theplay list. Therefore, technically, it is extremely difficult orimpossible to share the same play list, and further, it is alsodifficult or impossible to realize a different title by combining adifferent command to the same play list.

Especially, in the present invention, the Pre command information andthe Post command information include the command table on which acommand group comprising zero, one or more statements are written, sothat by referring to the command table common to both the Pre commandinformation and the Post command information, for example, it ispossible to relatively easily and quickly perform even relativelycomplicated and advanced reproduction control on the basis of theabove-described information group (e.g. the title play list). Moreover,the Pre command information includes the Pre command pointer whichspecifies the address of the command to be executed before thereproduction, the Post command information includes the Post commandpointer which specifies the address of the command to be executed afterthe reproduction, and the Pre command information and the Post commandinformation include the command pointer which specifies the address ofeach of the Pre command pointer and the Post command pointer, so thatwhen referring to the command table by the Information reproducingapparatus, it is possible to firstly refer to the command pointer, thenrefer to the Pre command pointer or the Post command pointer whoseaddress is specified by this command pointer, and then refer to thecommand, whose address is specified by this Pre command pointer or thisPost command pointer and which is included in the command table, as thePre command information or the Post command information. Therefore, itis possible to store the Pre command information or the Post commandinformation in the disc information file efficiently and in an organizedform.

As a result, according to the information recording medium, theefficient reproduction of a desired title can be performed bycontrolling the reproduction of the information reproducing apparatusdepending on the information group (e.g. the title play list) includingthe play list specification information, the Pre command information,and the Post command information stored in the disc information file.Especially, by changing the combination of the same play listinformation with the Pre command or the Post command, or by sharing itby the plurality of play list specification information, it is possibleto reduce, as a whole, the recording capacity required for theinformation recording medium to reproduce the title. Therefore, it ispossible to efficiently record onto the information recording medium oneor a plurality of titles provided with complicated and a large amount ofcontent information that enables the interactive or specialreproduction, for example, and to efficiently reproduce a desired one ofthem relatively easily.

In one aspect of the information recording medium of the presentinvention, the object data is constructed such that an entire streamincluding a plurality of portion streams, each of which is provided withthe content information, is multiplexed by a unit of packet, which is aphysically accessible unit and which stores therein a piece of thecontent information, the information recording medium further providedwith an object information file for storing correspondence definitioninformation which defines the correspondence relationship between aplurality of packets to be multiplexed and the plurality of portionstreams as another reproduction control information for controlling thereproduction of the object data file.

According to this aspect, the entire stream, such as at least oneportion of the transport stream of the MPEG 2, includes a plurality ofportion streams, such as elementary streams. Namely, one “portionstream” herein indicates one data array or information array, such asthe video stream, the audio stream, and the sub picture streamconstituting a series of content, which can be, for example, theelementary stream. On the other hand, one “entire stream” hereinindicates the data array or information array provided with a pluralityof portion streams in a bundle. The entire stream of this type ismultiplexed-and-recorded on the information recording medium by a unitof packet (e.g. TS packet as described later), which is a physicallyaccessible unit by the information reproducing apparatus. The objectdata file is a logically accessible unit by the information reproducingapparatus and stores the object data provided with a plurality ofpackets, each of which stores therein a piece of the contentinformation. Moreover, the object information file stores, as anotherreproduction control information for controlling the reproduction of theobject data file by the information reproducing apparatus, thecorrespondence definition information (e.g. an ES_Map Table indicatingan elementary stream packet ID (ES_PID), as described later).

Therefore, in the information reproducing apparatus, it becomes possibleto reproduce a desired show or program comprising the combination of orsingle content information provided with one portion of the entirestream which is multiplexed and recorded on the information recordingmedium, on the basis of the correspondence relationship between aplurality of packets and a plurality of portion streams multiplexed at asame time point, which is described in the correspondence definitioninformation.

Incidentally, various information stored in the disc information file,the play list information file, and the object information file may notbe multiplexed by a unit of packet on the information recording medium,preferably, from the viewpoint of a quickly and easily-executedreproduction control, as opposed to the case of the object data file.

In this aspect, the play list information file may be collectivelyrecorded in one area on the information recording medium, the discinformation file may be collectively recorded in another area on theinformation recording medium, and the object information file may becollectively recorded in another area on the information recordingmedium.

By constituting the information recording medium in this manner, in thereproduction, it is possible to efficiently reproduce the object datamultiplexed-and-recorded by a unit of packet firstly by separatelyobtaining the play list information, the above-described informationgroup (e.g. the title play list), the correspondence definitioninformation, and the like, with each of them obtained collectively, andthen on the basis of them. Moreover, it is possible to accuratelyperform special reproduction processing, such as searching, scanning,and interactive reproduction.

In another aspect of the information recording medium, the play listinformation file is collectively recorded in one area on the informationrecording medium, and the disc information file is collectively recordedin another area on the information recording medium.

According to this aspect, the information recording medium in thismanner, in the reproduction, it is possible to efficiently reproduce theobject data multiplexed-and-recorded by a unit of packet firstly byseparately obtaining the play list information, the above-describedinformation group (e.g. the title play list), and the like, with each ofthem obtained collectively, and then on the basis of them. Moreover, itis possible to accurately perform special reproduction processing, suchas searching, scanning, and interactive reproduction.

The above object of the present invention can be achieved by aninformation recording apparatus for recording one or a plurality oftitles, each of which is a logically-grouped information unit, onto aninformation recording medium, the apparatus provided with: a firstrecording device for recording an object data file for storing objectdata which constitutes a series of content information; a secondrecording device for recording a play list information file for storinga plurality of play list information which defines a reproductionsequence of the object data stored in the object data file by a unit ofplay list which is logically accessible; and a third recording devicefor recording a disc information file for storing a plurality ofinformation groups including, as reproduction control information forcontrolling the reproduction of the object data file, (i) play listspecification information for specifying one play list information whichdefines the play list to be reproduced from among the plurality of playlist information stored in the play list information file, (ii) Precommand information which indicates a command to be executed before thereproduction based on the one play list information, and (iii) Postcommand information which indicates a command to be executed after thereproduction based on the one play list information, the title beinglogically comprising one or more than one of the information groups, thePre command information and the Post command information including acommand table on which a command group comprising zero, one or morestatements are written, the Pre command information including a Precommand pointer which is written separately from the command table andwhich specifies the address of the command to be executed before thereproduction included in the command table, the Post command informationincluding a Post command pointer which is written separately from thecommand table and which specifies the address of the command to beexecuted after the reproduction included in the command table, the Precommand information and the Post command information including a commandpointer which specifies the address of each of the Pre command pointerand the Post command pointer.

According to the information recording apparatus of the presentinvention, the object data file for storing the object data is recordedby the first recording device, such as a system controller, an encoder,a TS object generator as described later, and an optical pickup. Theplay list information file for storing the play list information isrecorded by the second recording device, such as a system controller andan optical pickup. The disc information file for storing the informationgroup (e.g. the title play list), which includes, as the reproductioncontrol information, the play list specification information, the Precommand information, and the Post command information, is recorded bythe third recording device, such as a system controller and an opticalpickup. In this case, independently of the record of the play listinformation by the second recording device, the above-describedinformation group (e.g. the title play list) is recorded by the thirdrecording device. Therefore, by changing the combination of the sameplay list information with the Pre command or the Post command, or bysharing it by the plurality of play list specification information, itis possible to reduce, as a whole, the recording capacity required.Consequently, as for the above-described information recording medium ofthe present invention, it is possible to efficiently record onto theinformation recording medium one or a plurality of titles provided withcomplicated and a large amount of content information that enables theinteractive or special reproduction, for example.

Especially, in the present invention, the Pre command information andthe Post command information include the command table, so that it ispossible to relatively easily and quickly perform even relativelycomplicated and advanced reproduction control. Moreover, the Pre commandinformation and the Post command information include the Pre commandpointer and the Post command pointer, respectively, and also include thecommand pointer which specifies the addresses of those command pointers,so that it is possible to store the Pre command information or the Postcommand information in the disc information file efficiently and in anorganized form.

Incidentally, the information recording apparatus of the presentinvention can also employ various aspects in response to various aspectsof the above-described information recording medium of the presentinvention.

The above object of the present invention can be achieved by aninformation recording method of recording one or a plurality of titles,each of which is a logically-grouped information unit, onto aninformation recording medium, the method provided with: a firstrecording process of recording an object data file for storing objectdata which constitutes a series of content information; a secondrecording process of recording a play list information file for storinga plurality of play list information which defines a reproductionsequence of the object data stored in the object data file by a unit ofplay list which is logically accessible; and a third recording processof recording a disc information file for storing a plurality ofinformation groups including, as reproduction control information forcontrolling the reproduction of the object data file, (i) play listspecification information for specifying one play list information whichdefines the play list to be reproduced from among the plurality of playlist information stored in the play list information file, (ii) Precommand information which indicates a command to be executed before thereproduction based on the one play list information, and (iii) Postcommand information which indicates a command to be executed after thereproduction based on the one play list information, the title beinglogically comprising one or more than one of the information groups, thePre command information and the Post command information including acommand table on which a command group comprising zero, one or morestatements are written, the Pre command information including a Precommand pointer which is written separately from the command table andwhich specifies the address of the command to be executed before thereproduction included in the command table, the Post command informationincluding a Post command pointer which is written separately from thecommand table and which specifies the address of the command to beexecuted after the reproduction included in the command table, the Precommand information and the Post command information including a commandpointer which specifies the address of each of the Pre command pointerand the Post command pointer.

According to the information recording method of the present invention,as is the case of the above-described information recording apparatus,the object data file for storing the object data is recorded by thefirst recording process. The play list information file for storing theplay list information is recorded by the second recording process. Thedisc information file for storing the information group, which includes,as the reproduction control information, the play list specificationinformation, the Pre command information, and the Post commandinformation, is recorded by the third recording process. In this case,independently of the record of the play list information by the secondrecording process, the above-described information group is recorded bythe third recording process. Therefore, it is possible to reduce, as awhole, the recording capacity required, and as for the above-describedinformation recording medium of the present invention, it is possible toefficiently record thereon one or a plurality of titles provided withcomplicated and a large amount of content information.

Especially, in the present invention, the Pre command information andthe Post command information include the command table, so that it ispossible to relatively easily and quickly perform even relativelycomplicated and advanced reproduction control. Moreover, the Pre commandinformation and the Post command information include the Pre commandpointer and the Post command pointer, respectively, and also include thecommand pointer which specifies the addresses of those command pointers,so that it is possible to store the Pre command information or the Postcommand information in the disc information file efficiently and in anorganized form.

Incidentally, the information recording method of the present inventioncan also employ various aspects in response to various aspects of theabove-described information recording medium of the present invention.

The above object of the present invention can be achieved by aninformation reproducing apparatus for reproducing at least one portionof the recorded titles from the above-described information recordingmedium of the present invention (including its various aspects),provided with: a reading device for physically reading information fromthe information recording medium; and a reproducing device forreproducing the object data included in the information read by thereading device, on the basis of the reproduction control information andthe play list information included in the information read by thereading device.

According to the information reproducing apparatus, information isphysically read by the reading device, such as an optical pickup and ademodulator, from the information recording medium by a unit of packetor the like. Then, the object data is reproduced by the reproducingdevice, such as a system controller, a demultiplexer, and a decoder, onthe basis of the reproduction control information and the play listinformation included in this read information. Therefore, it is possibleto appropriately reproduce the titles recorded on the above-describedinformation recording medium of the present invention.

Incidentally, the information reproducing apparatus of the presentinvention can also employ various aspects in response to various aspectsof the above-described information recording medium of the presentinvention.

The above object of the present invention can be achieved by aninformation reproducing method of reproducing at least one portion ofthe recorded titles from the above-described information recordingmedium of the present invention (including its various aspects),provided with: a reading process of physically reading information fromthe information recording medium; and a reproducing process ofreproducing the object data included in the information read by thereading device, on the basis of the reproduction control information andthe play list information included in the information read by thereading device.

According to the information reproducing method, as is the case of theabove-described information reproducing apparatus, information isphysically read by the reading process from the information recordingmedium by a unit of packet or the like. Then, the object data isreproduced by the reproducing process on the basis of the reproductioncontrol information and the play list information included in this readinformation. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately reproduce thetitles recorded on the above-described information recording medium ofthe present invention.

Incidentally, the information reproducing method of the presentinvention can also employ various aspects in response to various aspectsof the above-described information recording medium of the presentinvention.

The above object of the present invention can be achieved by aninformation recording and reproducing apparatus for recording one or aplurality of titles onto the above-described information recordingmedium of the present invention (including its various aspects), and forreproducing at least one portion of the recorded titles, provided with:a first recording device for recording the object data file; a secondrecording device for recording the play list information file; a thirdrecording device for recording the disc information file; a readingdevice for physically reading information from the information recordingmedium; and a reproducing device for reproducing the object dataincluded in the information read by the reading device, on the basis ofthe reproduction control information and the play list informationincluded in the information read by the reading device.

According to the information recording and reproducing apparatus of thepresent invention, as with the above-described information recordingapparatus of the present invention, the object data file is recorded bythe first recording device, the play list information file is recordedby the second recording device, and the disc information file isrecorded by the third recording device. Then, as with theabove-described information reproducing apparatus of the presentinvention, information is physically read by the reading device from theinformation recording medium, and the object data is reproduced by thereproducing device on the basis of the reproduction control informationand the play list information included in this read information.Therefore, as for the above-described information recording medium ofthe present invention, it is possible to efficiently record thereon oneor a plurality of titles provided with complicated and a large amount ofcontent information. Moreover, it is possible to appropriately reproducethis recorded title or titles.

Incidentally, the information recording and reproducing apparatus of thepresent invention can also employ various aspects in response to variousaspects of the above-described information recording medium of thepresent invention.

The above object of the present invention can be achieved by aninformation recording and reproducing method of recording one or aplurality of titles onto the above-described information recordingmedium of the present invention (including its various aspects), and ofreproducing at least one portion of the recorded titles, provided with:a first recording process of recording the object data file; a secondrecording process of recording the play list information file; a thirdrecording process of recording the disc information file; a readingprocess of physically reading information from the information recordingmedium; and a reproducing process of reproducing the object dataincluded in the information read by the reading device, on the basis ofthe reproduction control information and the play list informationincluded in the information read by the reading device.

According to the information recording and reproducing method of thepresent invention, as with the above-described information recordingmethod of the present invention, the object data file is recorded by thefirst recording process, the play list information file is recorded bythe second recording process, and the disc information file is recordedby the third recording process. Then, as with the above-describedinformation reproducing method of the present invention, information isphysically read by the reading process from the information recordingmedium, and the object data is reproduced by the reproducing process onthe basis of the reproduction control information and the play listinformation included in this read information. Therefore, as for theabove-described information recording medium of the present invention,it is possible to efficiently record thereon one or a plurality oftitles provided with complicated and a large amount of contentinformation. Moreover, it is possible to appropriately reproduce thisrecorded title or titles.

Incidentally, the information recording and reproducing method of thepresent invention can also employ various aspects in response to variousaspects of the above-described information recording medium of thepresent invention.

The above object of the present invention can be achieved by a computerprogram for controlling record which controls a computer provided in theabove-described information recording apparatus of the present invention(including its various aspects) and which causes the computer tofunction as at least one portion of the first recording device, thesecond recording device, and the third recording device.

According to the computer program for controlling record of the presentinvention, the above described information recording apparatus of thepresent invention can be relatively easily realized as a computer readsand executes the computer program from a program storage device, such asa ROM, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, and a hard disk, or as it executes thecomputer program after downloading the program through a communicationdevice.

The above object of the present invention can be achieved by a computerprogram for controlling reproduction which controls a computer providedin the above-described information reproducing apparatus of the presentinvention (including its various aspects) and which causes the computerto function as at least one portion of the reading device and thereproducing device.

According to the computer program for controlling reproduction of thepresent invention, the above described information reproducing apparatusof the present invention can be relatively easily realized as a computerreads and executes the computer program from a program storage device,such as a ROM, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, and a hard disk, or as it executesthe computer program after downloading the program through acommunication device.

According to the computer program for controlling record andreproduction of the present invention, the above described informationrecording and reproducing apparatus of the present invention can berelatively easily realized as a computer reads and executes the computerprogram from a program storage device, such as a ROM, a CD-ROM, aDVD-ROM, and a hard disk, or as it executes the computer program afterdownloading the program through a communication device.

The above object of the present invention can be achieved by a datastructure including a control signal, which includes one or a pluralityof titles, each of which is a logically-grouped information unit,provided with: an object data file for storing object data whichconstitutes a series of content information; a play list informationfile for storing a plurality of play list information which defines areproduction sequence of the object data stored in the object data fileby a unit of play list which is logically accessible; and a discinformation file for storing a plurality of information groupsincluding, as reproduction control information for controlling thereproduction of the object data file, (i) play list specificationinformation for specifying one play list information which defines theplay list to be reproduced from among the plurality of play listinformation stored in the play list information file, (ii) Pre commandinformation which indicates a command to be executed before thereproduction based on the one play list information, and (iii) Postcommand information which indicates a command to be executed after thereproduction based on the one play list information, the title beinglogically comprising one or more than one of the plurality ofinformation groups, the Pre command information and the Post commandinformation including a command table on which a command groupcomprising zero, one or more statements are written, the Pre commandinformation including a Pre command pointer which is written separatelyfrom the command table and which specifies the address of the command tobe executed before the reproduction included in the command table, thePost command information including a Post command pointer which iswritten separately from the command table and which specifies theaddress of the command to be executed after the reproduction included inthe command table, the Pre command information and the Post commandinformation including a command pointer which specifies the address ofeach of the Pre command pointer and the Post command pointer.

According to the data structure including a control signal of thepresent invention, as is the case of the above-described informationrecording medium, it is possible to efficiently record onto theinformation recording medium one or a plurality of titles provided withcomplicated and a large amount of content information that enables theinteractive or special reproduction, for example, and to efficientlyreproduce a desired one of them relatively easily.

Incidentally, the data structure including a control signal of thepresent invention can also employ various aspects in response to variousaspects of the above-described information recording medium of thepresent invention.

The above object of the present invention can be also achieved by afirst program storage device readable by a computer in an informationrecording apparatus for tangibly embodying a program of instructionsexecutable by the computer to perform method processes of recordinginformation.

The above object of the present invention can be also achieved by asecond program storage device readable by a computer in an informationreproducing apparatus for tangibly embodying a program of instructionsexecutable by the computer to perform method processes of reproducinginformation.

The above object of the present invention can be also achieved by athird program storage device readable by a computer in an informationrecording and reproducing apparatus for tangibly embodying a program ofinstructions executable by the computer to perform method processes ofrecording and reproducing information.

According to the first, second, or third program storage device, such asa CD-ROM, a ROM, a DVD-ROM, and a hard disk, of the present invention,the above described information recording, reproducing, or recording andreproducing method of the present invention can be relatively easilyrealized as a computer reads and executes the program of instructions oras it executes the program after downloading the program through acommunication device.

The above object of the present invention can be also achieved by afirst computer data signal embodied in a carrier wave and representing aseries of instructions which cause a computer in an informationrecording apparatus to perform method processes of recordinginformation.

The above object of the present invention can be also achieved by asecond computer data signal embodied in a carrier wave and representinga series of instructions which cause a computer in an informationreproducing apparatus to perform method processes of reproducinginformation.

The above object of the present invention can be also achieved by athird computer data signal embodied in a carrier wave and representing aseries of instructions which cause a computer in an informationrecording and reproducing apparatus to perform method processes ofrecording and reproducing information.

According to the first, second, or third computer data signal embodiedin the carrier wave of the present invention, as the computer downloadsthe program in the computer data signal through a computer network orthe like, and executes this program, it is possible to relatively easilyrealize the above described information recording, reproducing, orrecording and reproducing method of the present invention.

These functions and other advantages of the invention will be apparentfrom the following description of embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a basic structure of an optical disc asbeing one embodiment of an information recording medium of the presentinvention, the upper part being a schematic plan view of the opticaldisc having a plurality of areas, the corresponding bottom part being anschematic diagram of the area structure in the radial direction;

FIGS. 2 are a schematic diagram of the conventional program stream ofthe MPEG 2 (FIG. 2(a)) and a schematic diagram of the transport streamof the MPEG 2 used in the embodiment (FIG. 2(b));

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a data structure recorded on theoptical disc in the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing details of the data structure ineach object shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram conceptually showing that an elementarystream for a program #1 at an upper level and an elementary stream for aprogram #2 at a middle level are multiplexed, constituting a transportstream for these two programs at a low level, with the horizontal axisas a time axis;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram conceptually showing the image of TSpackets multiplexed in one transport stream as a packet alignment alongtime;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the logical construction of dataon the optical disc in the embodiment, focusing on the development of alogical hierarchy to an object hierarchy or an entity hierarchy;

FIGS. 8 are schematic diagrams conceptually showing two specificexamples of a basic logical construction in the play list constitutingone title shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an information recording/reproducingapparatus related to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing a record operation (part 1) of theinformation recording/reproducing apparatus in the embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing a record operation (part 2) of theinformation recording/reproducing apparatus in the embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing a record operation (part 3) of theinformation recording/reproducing apparatus in the embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing a record operation (part 4) of theinformation recording/reproducing apparatus in the embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing a reproduction operation of theinformation recording/reproducing apparatus in the embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram conceptually showing an entire accessflow in reproducing, in relation to the logical structure of the opticaldisc in the embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing an edit operation of the informationrecording/reproducing apparatus in the embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing one specific example of the datastructure of a disc information file of the embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram showing another specific example of thedata structure of the disc information file of the embodiment;

FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram showing one specific example of the datastructure of a command table of the embodiment;

FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram showing one specific example of the datastructure of a play list information table constructed in a play listinformation file in one specific example of the embodiment; and

FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram showing one specific example of the datastructures of an AU table constructed in an object information file andan ES map table related to the AU table in one specific example of theembodiment.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be hereinafterexplained in order, for each embodiment with reference to the drawings.

(Information Recording Medium)

The embodiment of an information recording medium of the presentinvention will be explained with reference to FIG. 1 to FIGS. 8. In thisembodiment, the information recording medium of the present invention isapplied to an optical disc of a type capable of recording (writing) andreproducing (reading).

Firstly, the basic structure of the optical disc in the embodiment willbe explained with reference to FIG. 1. The upper part of FIG. 1 is aschematic plan view of the optical disc structure having a plurality ofareas, and the bottom part is a schematic diagram of the area structurein its radial direction.

As shown in FIG. 1, an optical disc 100 is recordable in variousrecording methods, such as a magnet-optical method and a phasetransition method, onto which it is possible to record (write)information a plurality of times or only once. It is provided with alead-in area 104, a data record area 106, and a lead-out area 108 on arecording surface on the disc main body, which is about 12 cm indiameter, as is the DVD, with a center hole 102 as the center, in thedirection from the inner circumference to the outer circumference. Ineach area, groove tracks and land tracks are alternately placed spirallyor coaxially with the center hole 102 as the center, for example. Thesegroove tracks may be wobbled, and pre-pits may be formed on either orboth of the tracks. Incidentally, the present invention is not speciallylimited to an optical disc having these three areas.

Secondly, the structure of a transport stream (TS) recorded on theoptical disc of the present invention will be explained with referenceto FIGS. 2. FIG. 2(a) shows the structure of a conventional programstream of the MPEG 2, as a comparison. FIG. 2(b) shows the structure ofthe transport stream (TS) of the MPEG 2.

In FIG. 2(a), one program stream includes (i) only one video stream forvideo data as being the video information, and further (ii) at most 8audio streams for audio data as being the audio information, and also(iii) at most 32 sub picture streams for sub picture data as being thesub picture information, along a time axis t. Namely, the video datamultiplexed at an arbitrary time point tx is related to only the onevideo stream. For example, a plurality of video streams corresponding toa plurality of TV shows or movies cannot be included in the programstream at the same time. In order to multiplex the TV show and the likeaccompanying pictures and transmit or record them, at least one videostream is required for each TV show and the like, so that the programstream format in which only one video stream exists cannot allow theplurality of TV shows and the like to be transmitted or recorded aftermultiplexing them.

In FIG. 2(b), one transport stream (TS) includes (i) a plurality ofvideo streams, as an elementary stream (ES) for the video data as beingthe video information, and further (ii) a plurality of audio streams, asan elementary stream (ES) for the audio data as being the audioinformation, and also (iii) a plurality of sub picture streams, as anelementary stream (ES) for the sub picture data as being the sub pictureinformation. Namely, the video data multiplexed at an arbitrary timepoint tx is related to the plurality of video streams. For example, theplurality of video streams corresponding to a plurality of TV shows ormovies can be included in the transport stream at the same time. Asdescribed above, the transport stream format whose transmission rate ishigh and in which there are the plurality of video streams can allow theplurality of TV shows and the like to be transmitted or recorded aftermultiplexing them. However, digital broadcasting that employs anexisting transport stream does not transmit the sub picture stream.

Incidentally, in FIG. 2(a) and FIG. 2(b), the video stream, the audiostream, and the sub picture stream are arranged in this order from up todown for explanatory convenience; however, this order is not intended tocorrespond to an order of multiplexing them in units of packet, asdescribed later, or the like. In the transport stream, one combination,which is one video stream, two audio streams, and two sub picturestreams, conceptually corresponds to one show, for example.

The optical disc 100 in the embodiment described above is constructed torecord onto it the transport stream (TS) including a plurality ofelementary streams (ES) in the above manner, i.e. to simultaneouslyrecord onto it the plurality of shows or programs, within the limit ofthe record rate.

Next, a data structure recorded on the optical disc 100 will beexplained with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. FIG. 3 is a schematicdiagram showing the data structure recorded on the optical disc 100.FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing details of the data structure ineach object shown in FIG. 3.

In the explanation below, a “title” is a reproduction unit sequentiallyexecuting a plurality of “play lists”, and is a logically large groupedunit, such as one movie and one TV show. The “play list” is a file forstoring information necessary for the reproduction of an “object”, andis provided with a plurality of “Items”, each of which storesinformation about the reproduction range of the object to access theobject. More specifically, “IN point information” indicating a startaddress of the object and “OUT point information” indicating an endaddress of the object are written in each Item. Incidentally, these “INpoint information” and “OUT point information” may show the addressesdirectly, or show the addresses indirectly by showing a time length or atime point on a reproduction time axis. The “object” is the entityinformation of a content constituting the transport stream of the MPEG 2described above.

In FIG. 3, the optical disc 100 is provided with the following fourfiles as a logical structure: a disc information file 110, a play (P)list information file 120, an object information file 130, and an objectdata file 140. It is further provided with a file system 105 to managethose files. Incidentally, FIG. 3 does not directly show the physicaldata alignment on the optical disc 100, but it is possible to recordwith the arrangement order shown in FIG. 3 corresponding to thearrangement order shown in FIG. 1. Namely, it is possible to record thefile system 105 or the like in the lead-in area 104, and then in thedata record area 106, and further it is also possible to record theobject data file 140 or the like in the data record area 106. Even ifthe lead-in area 104 and/or the lead-out area 108 shown in FIG. 1 do noexist, the file structure shown in FIG. 3 can be constructed.

The disc information file 110 is a file for storing comprehensiveinformation about the whole optical disc 100, and it stores disccomprehensive information 112, a title information table 114, and otherinformation 118. The disc comprehensive information 112 stores the totalnumber of titles and the like in the optical disc 100, for example.

Especially in this embodiment, as described later, the title informationtable 114 stores a plurality of title play lists (refer to FIG. 8(a)),which is one example of an information group including play listspecification information, a Pre command, and a Post command, in theformat of a table for each title (refer to FIG. 17 and FIG. 18).

The play list information file 120 is a reproduction sequenceinformation file. The play list information file 120 stores a play (P)list information table 121, which indicates the logical construction ofeach play list and which is separated into play (P) list comprehensiveinformation 122, a play (P) list pointer 124, a plurality of play (P)lists 126 (P lists #1 to #n), and other information 128. This play listinformation table 121 stores the logical information of each play list126 in the order of the play list number. In other words, the storingorder of each play list 126 is the play list number. Moreover, it isalso possible to refer to the same play list 126 from a plurality oftitles at the above described title information table 114. Namely, evenin the case where a title #n and a title #m use the same play list #p,it is possible to construct such that the play list #p in the play listinformation table 121 is pointed at the title information table 114.

The object information file 130 stores various attribute informationabout the storing position in the object data file 140 for each Itemconstituted in each play list 126 (i.e. a logical address that is areproduction object) and about the reproduction of the Item. Especially,in this embodiment, the object information file 130 stores an AU(Associate Unit) table 131 including a plurality of AU information 132I(AU #1 to AU #n), as described later in detail, an ES (ElementaryStream) map table 134, and other information 138.

The object data file 140 stores a plurality of TS objects 142 (TS #1object to TS #n object) for each transport streams (TS). Namely, itstores a plurality of entity data of the contents to be actuallyreproduced.

Incidentally, the four files explained with reference to FIG. 3 may bestored with each of them being separated into a plurality of files, andall of them may be managed or administered by the file system 105. Forexample, the object data file 140 can be separated into a plurality ofdata files, such as an object data file #1, an object data file #2, . .. and the like.

As shown in FIG. 4, the TS object 142 shown in FIG. 3, which is alogically reproducible unit, is divided into a plurality of alignedunits 143, each of which has 6 kB data amount, for example. The head ofthe aligned units 143 corresponds to (or is “aligned” with) the head ofthe TS object 142. Each aligned unit 143 is further segmentized into aplurality of source packets 144, each of which has 192 B data amount.The source packet 144 is a physically reproducible unit, and by usingthis unit, i.e. by a unit of packet, at least the video data, the audiodata, and the sub picture data are multiplexed among the data on theoptical disc 100. The other information may be also multiplexed in thismanner. Each source packet 144 includes: control information 145, whichhas 4 B data amount, for controlling the reproduction, such as a packetarrival time stamp indicating a reproduction start time point (i.e. atime point of starting demultiplexing) of the TS (transport stream)packet on a reproduction time axis etc.; and a TS packet 146, which has188B data amount. The TS packet 146 has a packet header 146 a at thehead portion thereof. The video data is packetized to be a “videopacket”, the audio data is packetized to be an “audio packet”, the subpicture data is packetized to be a “sub picture packet”, or the otherdata is packetized.

Next, with reference to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, it will be explained themultiple record of the video data, the audio data, the sub picture data,and the like, which are in the transport stream format as shown in FIG.2(b), on the optical disc 100 by the TS packet 146 shown in FIG. 4. FIG.5 is a schematic diagram conceptually showing that an elementary stream(ES) for a program #1 (PG 1) at the upper level in the figure and anelementary stream (ES) for a program #2 (PG 2) at the middle level inthe figure are multiplexed, constituting a transport stream (TS) forthese two programs (PG 1 & PG 2) at the lower level in the figure, withthe horizontal axis as a time axis. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagramconceptually showing the image of TS packets multiplexed in onetransport stream (TS) as a packet alignment along time.

As shown in FIG. 5, the TS packets 146 with the video data for theprogram #1 packetized are discretely arranged with respect to the timeaxis in the elementary stream for the program #1 (the upper one), forexample. The TS packets 146 with the video data for the program #2packetized are discretely arranged with respect to the time axis in theelementary stream for the program #2 (the middle one), for example.Then, these TS packets 146 are multiplexed, constructing the transportstream (the lower one) for those two programs. Incidentally, this isomitted in FIG. 5 for explanatory convenience, but in fact, theelementary stream provided with the TS packets in which the audio datais packetized and the sub picture stream provided with the TS packets inwhich the sub picture data is packetized may be multiplexed as theelementary stream for the program #1 in the same manner as shown in FIG.2(b). Moreover, in addition to these, the elementary stream providedwith the TS packets in which the audio data is packetized and the subpicture stream provided with the TS packets in which the sub picturedata is packetized may be multiplexed as the elementary stream for theprogram #2 in the same manner.

As shown in FIG. 6, in this embodiment, one TS stream is constructed ofmany TS packets 146 multiplexed as described above. Then, the many TSpackets 146 in this multiplexed form obtain the information 145 such asthe packet arrival time stamp and are multiplexed-and-recorded on theoptical disc 100. Incidentally, “Element (i0 j)” is used in FIG. 6 forthe TS packet 146 comprising data which constitutes the program #i (i=1,2, 3), with j (j=1, 2, . . . ) as a number indicating the order for eachstream which constitutes the program. This (i0j) is a packet ID, whichis the identification number of the TS packet 146 for each elementarystream. A specific value is given to this packet ID between theplurality of TS packets 146 multiplexed at a same time point so that theplurality of TS packets 146 can be mutually distinguished even if theyare multiplexed at the same time point.

In FIG. 6, a PAT (Program Associate Table) and a PMT (Program Map Table)are also packetized in units of the TS packet 146 and are multiplexed.Among them, the PAT stores a table indicating a plurality of PMT packetIDs. Especially, with regard to the PAT, the MPEG 2 standard defines theaddition of (000), as shown in FIG. 6, as a predetermined packet ID.Namely, it is constructed such that the TS packet 146 in which the PATis packetized is detected as the TS packet 146 with its packet ID (000)from among many packets multiplexed at the same time point. The PMTstores a table indicating the packet ID for each elementary streamconstituting each program with respect to one or a plurality ofprograms. To the PMT, an arbitrary packet ID may be added, but thepacket ID of the PMT is indicated by the PAT detectable having thepacket ID as (000), as described above. Therefore, the TS packets 146 ineach of which the PMT is packetized (i.e. the TS packets 146 with thepacket IDs (100), (200), and (300) added in FIG. 6) are detected byvirtue of the PAT from among many packets multiplexed at the same timepoint.

In the case where the transport stream is digital-transmitted as shownin FIG. 6, the tuner can pick up the packets corresponding to thedesired elementary stream from among the multiplexed packets byreferring to the PAT and the PMT as constructed above, and demodulatethem.

In this embodiment, the TS packet 146 stored in the TS object 142 shownin FIG. 4 includes these PAT and PMT packets. Namely, when the transportstream shown in FIG. 6 is transmitted, it can be recorded onto theoptical disc 100 as it is, which is a great advantage.

Moreover, in this embodiment, the PAT and PMT as recorded above are notreferred to when reproducing the optical disc 100. Instead, referring tothe AU table 131 and the ES map table 134, as shown in FIG. 3 and asdescribed later in detail, allows more effective reproduction, and alsoenables complicate multi-vision reproduction and the like to be treatedwith. On that account, in this embodiment, the correspondingrelationship between the elementary stream and the packet, which areobtained by referring to the PAT and the PMT when demodulating andrecording, is stored in the object information file 130 in the form ofthe AU table 131 and the ES map table 134 without packetizing normultiplexing.

Next, the logical construction of the data on the optical disc 100 willbe explained with reference to FIG. 7 and FIGS. 8. FIG. 7 is a schematicdiagram showing the logical construction of the data on the optical disc100, focusing on the development of a logical hierarchy to an objecthierarchy or an entity hierarchy. FIGS. 8 are schematic diagramsconceptually showing the details of a basic logical construction in thetitle play list constituting one title shown in FIG. 7 (FIG. 8(a)) andfurther three specific examples of the logical construction in the titleplay list (FIG. 8(b) to FIG. 8(d)).

In FIG. 7, on the optical disc 100, one or a plurality of titles 200 arerecorded, each of which is a logically large unit, such as one movie orone TV show. Each title 200 is constructed of one or a plurality oftitle play lists 115 (title play lists #1, #2, . . . ).

Each title play list 115 is logically constructed of one or a pluralityof play lists 126 (play lists #1, #2, . . . ). Here, the plurality oftitle play lists 115 constituting the same title 200 or a differenttitle 200 may be constructed of the same play list 126. That is,especially in this embodiment, the play list 126 can be shared, as shownwith a plurality of arrows come out of each title play list 115 in FIG.7.

Incidentally, the title play list 115 is stored in the disc informationfile 110 shown in FIG. 3 in the format of the title information table114. On the other hand, the play list 126 is stored, not in the discinformation file 110 but in the play list information file 120, in theformat of the play list information table 121 in FIG. 3. The pluralityof title play lists 115 and the plurality of play lists 126 areseparately recorded in different areas on the optical disc 100, with theformer recorded collectively in one area and with the latter recordedcollectively in another area.

As shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8(a), each title play list 115 is identifiedby a title play list #m (title play list number) (m=1, 2, . . . ). Eachtitle play list 115 includes information that specifies a play list #n(play list number) (n=1, 2, . . . ) as one example of the play listspecification information that specifies a particular play list 126 tobe reproduced from among the plurality of play lists 126 with itsnumber. Moreover, the title play list 115 includes a Pre command 116indicating a command to be executed before the reproduction of thisparticular play list 126, and a Post command 117 indicating a command tobe executed after the reproduction of this particular play list 126.

The Pre command 116 is a command group constructed of zero, one or morestatements, which give instructions for the automatic execution of audiostream selecting or the like in the reproduction, and for the executionof various-parameter setting or the like required in the reproduction.On the other hand, the Post command 117 is a command group constructedof zero, one or more statements, which give instructions for theexecution of various-parameter processing for a process of ending thereproduction, and for the execution of branch-condition judging or thelike.

The above-described play list 126 can be shared by specifying the playlist 126 to which the same play list #n is given by using the title playlist 115 to which a different title play list #m is given. Moreover,even in the case of specifying the same play list 126, changing the Precommand 116 or the Post command 117 makes it possible to construct thedifferent title 200.

In each title 200, the plurality of title play lists 115 may have asequential structure or a branch structure, which will be describedlater with reference to FIG. 8(b) to FIG. 8(d).

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8(a), each play list 126 islogically constructed of one or a plurality of Items (i.e., the playitems) 204. In each play list 126, the plurality of Items 204 may havethe sequential structure or the branch structure. Moreover, one Item 204can be referred to from the plurality of play lists 126.

In FIG. 7, the reproduction range of the TS object 142 is logicallyspecified by the above described IN point information and OUT pointinformation written in the Item 204. Then, by referring to objectinformation 130 d with respect to the reproduction range logicallyspecified, the reproduction range of the TS object 142 is physicallyspecified. Here, the object information 130 d includes variousinformation to reproduce the TS object 142, such as the attributeinformation of the TS object 142 and EP (Entry Pass) map information 134d required for a data search in the TS object 142 (incidentally, the ESmap table 134 shown in FIG. 3 includes a plurality of such EP mapinformation 134 d).

When reproducing the TS object 142 by an informationrecording/reproducing apparatus, which will be described later, aphysical address to be reproduced in the TS object 142 is obtained fromthe Item 204 and the object information 130 d, and the desiredelementary stream is reproduced.

In this embodiment, as described above, the title 200 is logicallyconstructed by using the title play list 115 and the like, and further,the association from the logical hierarchy to the object hierarchy ofthe reproduction sequence is made by the IN point information and theOUT point information described in the Item 204 and by the EP mapinformation 134 d described in the ES map table 134 (refer to FIG. 3) ofthe object information 130 d, which enables the elementary stream to bereproduced.

Now, the function of the title play list 115 and the like are explainedwith the type of the title 200, with reference to FIGS. 8. Incidentally,in FIG. 8(b) to FIG. 8(d), a play list number i in the play listinformation file 120 (refer to FIG. 3) is described as “P list #1”, “Plist #2”, “P list #i” (i=1, 2, . . . ) in each block indicating the playlist 126.

Especially in this embodiment, the title 200 is classified broadly intotwo categories: “one title play list type” and “a plurality of titleplay lists type”, and the latter is further categorized into a“sequential type” and a “branch type”.

As shown in FIG. 8(b), the title 200 of the “one title play list type”is constructed simply by one title play list 115 (title play list #1).Its detailed construction is as explained with reference to FIG. 8(a).In the example of FIG. 8(b), a “play list #1 (P list #1)” is reproduced.

As shown in FIG. 8(c), the title 200 of the “sequential type” isconstructed such that the plurality of title play lists 115 (title playlists #1, #3, and #2) are sequentially reproduced by following thereproduction time axis. The detailed construction of each title playlist 115 is as explained with reference to FIG. 8(a). In this case, eachtitle play list 115 can arbitrarily specify the play list 126. In FIG.8(c), independently of the storing order of the play lists 126 in theplay list information table 121 (refer to FIG. 3), a “play list #2 (Plist #2)”, a “play list 3 (P list #3)”, and the “play list 1 (P list#1)” are reproduced in this order.

Incidentally, FIG. 8(c) shows such a specific example that afterpreparing the title play list #1 and the title play list #2 in thisorder, the title play list #3 is added between them by editing. Thiskind of edit operation can be executed relatively easily by substitutingthe Pre command 116 and the Post command 117. Namely, it is notnecessary to rearrange the title play list 115 in the title informationtable 114. It is enough to add the title play list #3, which is newlyprepared, behind (at the bottom of) the title play list #2 in the titleinformation table 114.

As shown in FIG. 8(d), the title 200 of the “branch type” is constructedof the plurality of title play lists 115 (title play lists #1 to #6).The branch which is based on the Post command 117 constituting the titleplay list #1 causes the play list 126 which is specified by the titleplay list #3 or #2 (the “play list #2” or the “play list #3”) to beselectively reproduced following the play list 126 (the “play list #1”)which is specified by the title play list #1. Moreover, the branch whichis based on the Post command 117 constituting the title play list #3causes the play list 126 which is specified by the title play list #4 or#5 to be selectively reproduced following the play list 126 which isspecified by the title play list #3. On the other hand, it isconstructed such that the branch which is based on the Post command 117constituting the title play list #2 causes the play list 126 which isspecified by the title play list #4, #6, or #3 to be selectivelyreproduced following the play list 126 which is specified by the titleplay list #2. The detailed construction of each title play list 115 isas explained with reference to FIG. 8(a). On this account, it ispossible to select one of the play lists 126 with, an interactiveoperation by an audience, for example.

Incidentally, the branch from the title play list #2 to the title playlist #3 or #6 in FIG. 8(d) indicates that even the same play list 126(the “play list #2”) has different branch conditions after itsreproduction. This shows one example of preparing different title playlists 115 by using the same play list 126.

As described above in detail, according to this embodiment, in any caseof the titles of the types shown in FIG. 8(b) to FIG. 8(d), it ispossible to combine the same play list 126 with a different Pre command116 and a different Post command 117 to prepare the title play list 115,and by this combination, it is possible to construct various titles 200using the same play list 126. Moreover, since the same play list 126 canbe specified by the plurality of title play lists 115, even by thisspecification, it is possible to construct various titles 200 using thesame play list 126

Moreover, in this embodiment, the multiplexing and recording isperformed on the optical disc 100 in units of the TS packet 146, andbecause of this, it is possible to multiplex-and-record onto the opticaldisc 100 the transport stream including many elementary streams as shownin FIG. 2(b). According to this embodiment, in the case of recordingdigital broadcasting onto the optical disc 100, a plurality of shows orprograms can be recorded at the same time within the limit of the recordrate. Here, it employs a method of multiplexing the plurality of showsor programs and recording them into one TS object 142.

The embodiment of an information recording/reproducing apparatusexecutable this kind of record processing will be explained hereinafter.

(Information Recording/Reproducing Apparatus)

Next, the embodiment of the information recording/reproducing apparatusof the present invention will be explained with reference to FIG. 9 toFIG. 14. FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the informationrecording/reproducing apparatus, and FIG. 10 to FIG. 14 are flow chartsshowing its operation.

In FIG. 9, an information recording/reproducing apparatus 500 isclassified broadly into a reproduction system and a record system, canrecord information onto the optical disc 100 described above, and canreproduce the information recorded on this. In this embodiment, theinformation recording/reproducing apparatus 500 is for recording andreproducing as described above, but it is possible to construct anembodiment of the recording apparatus of the present invention from therecord system part of the information recording/reproducing apparatus500. On the other hand, it is possible to construct an embodiment of thereproducing apparatus of the present invention from the reproductionsystem part of the information recording/reproducing apparatus 500.

The information recording/reproducing apparatus 500 is provided with: anoptical pickup 502; a servo unit 503; a spindle motor 504; a demodulator506; a demultiplexer 508; a video decoder 511; an audio decoder 512; asub picture decoder 513; an adder 514; a system controller 520; a memory530; a modulator 606; a formatter 608; a TS object generator 610; avideo encoder 611; an audio encoder 612; and a sub picture encoder 613.The system controller 520 is provided with a file system/logicalstructure data generator 521; and a file system/logical structure datainterpret device 522. Moreover, the memory 530 and a user interface 720for the user input of the title information and the like are connectedto the system controller 520.

Among these constitutional elements, the demodulator 506, thedemultiplexer 508, the video decoder 511, the audio decoder 512, the subpicture decoder 513, and the adder 514 constitute the reproductionsystem, mostly. On the other hand, among these constitutional elements,the modulator 606, the formatter 608, the TS object generator 610, thevideo encoder 611, the audio encoder 612, and the sub picture encoder613 constitute the record system, mostly. The optical pickup 502, theservo unit 503, the spindle motor 504, the system controller 520, thememory 530, and the user interface 720 for the user input of the titleinformation and the like are shared for both the reproduction system andthe record system, mostly. Moreover, a TS object data source 700, avideo data source 711, an audio data source 712, and a sub picturesource 713 are prepared for the record system. The file system/logicalstructure data generator 521 installed in the system controller 520 ismainly used in the record system, and the file system/logical structuredata interpret device 522 is mainly used in the reproduction system.

The optical pickup 502 irradiates a light beam LB, such as a laser beam,onto the optical disc 100 with a first power as a reading light whenreproducing, and with a second power as a writing light when recordingwhile modulating it. The servo unit 503 is controlled by a controlsignal Sc1 outputted from the system controller 520 when reproducing andrecording, and it performs a focus servo, a tracking servo, and the likeat the optical pickup 502, as well as performing a spindle servo at thespindle motor 504. The spindle motor 504 is constructed to spin theoptical disc 100 at a predetermined speed while receiving the spindleservo by the servo unit 503.

(i) Structure and Operation in Record System

Next, the specific structure and operation of each constitutionalelement constituting the record system in the informationrecording/reproducing apparatus 500 will be explained case by case, withreference to FIG. 9 to FIG. 13.

(i-1) The Case of Using the Already Prepared TS Object

This case will be explained with reference to FIG. 9 and FIG. 10.

In FIG. 9, the TS object data source 700 is provided with a recordstorage, such as a video tape and a memory, and it stores TS object dataD1.

In FIG. 10, firstly, the information about each title (e.g. thestructure content of the play list and the like) logically constructedon the optical disc 100 using the TS object data D1 is inputted from theuser interface 720 to the system controller 520, as a user input I2 ofthe title information and the like. Then, the system controller 520takes in the user input I2 of the title information and the likeobtained from the user interface 720 (step S21: Yes and step S22). Inthis case, the user interface 720 is controlled by a control signal Sc4from the system controller 520, and it can perform input processingaccording to the content to be recorded, such as choosing through atitle menu screen. Incidentally, in the case where the user input hasbeen already performed or the like (step S21: No), this processing isomitted.

Then, the TS object data source 700 is controlled by a control signalSc8 giving an instruction for reading out the data from the systemcontroller 520, and outputs the TS object data D1. Then, the systemcontroller 520 takes in the TS object data D1 from the TS object source700 (step S23), and performs the analysis of the data array of the TSobject data D1 (e.g. a record data length and the like), the analysis ofeach elementary stream structure (e.g. understanding of ES_PID(Elementary Stream·Packet Identification number) as described later),and the like, by virtue of a TS analysis function of the filesystem/logical structure data generator 521, for example, on the basisof the PAT, the PMT, and the like packetized as well as the video dataand the like as described above (step S24).

Then, the system controller 520 prepares the disc information file 110,the play list information file 120, the object information file 130, andthe file system 105 (refer to FIG. 3), as logical information file dataD4, by virtue of the file system/logical structure data generator 521,from the user input I2 of the taken-in title information and the likeand from the analysis results of the data array of the TS object data D1and each elementary stream (step S25). The memory 530 is used whenpreparing the logical information file data D4 described above.

Incidentally, such a variation that the data about the data array of theTS object data D1, the data about the construction information of eachelementary stream, and the like are prepared in advance, is apparentlyand variously conceivable. Such a variation is also within the scope ofthe embodiment.

In FIG. 9, the formatter 608 is a device for performing a data arrayformat to store onto the optical disc 100 the TS object data D1 and thelogical information file data D4. More specifically, the formatter 608is provided with a switch Sw1 and a switch Sw2 and isswitching-controlled by a switch control signal Sc5 from the systemcontroller 520. When formatting the TS object data D1, it connects theswitch Sw1 to a {circle over (1)} side and the switch Sw2 to the {circleover (1)} side so as to output the TS object data D1 from the TS objectdata source 700. Incidentally, the transmission control of the TS objectdata D1 is performed by the control signal Sc8 from the systemcontroller 520. On the other hand, when formatting the logicalinformation file data D4, the formatter 608 is switching-controlled bythe switch control signal Sc5 from the system controller 520, andconnects the switch Sw2 to a {circle over (2)} side so as output thelogical information file data D4.

In a step S26 in FIG. 10, (i) the logical information file data D4 fromthe file system/logical structure data generator 521 in the step S25 or(ii) the TS object data D1 from the TS object data source 700 isoutputted through the formatter 608 by the switching-control by theformatter 608 as constructed above (step S26).

The selection output from the formatter 608 is transmitted to themodulator 606 as disc image data D5, is modulated by the modulator 606,and is recorded onto the optical disc 100 through the optical pickup 502(step S27). The system controller 520 also executes the disc recordcontrol in this case.

Then, if both the logical information file data D4 generated in the stepS25 and the corresponding TS object data D2 have not been completelyrecorded yet, the operational flow returns to the step S26, continuingto the record (step S28: No). Incidentally, there is no preference inthe record order of the logical information file data D4 and thecorresponding TS object data D2.

On the other hand, if the both have been already recorded, it is judgedwhether or not the record on the optical disc 100 is supposed to beended, on the basis of the presence or absence of an end command (stepS29). If not supposed to be ended (step S29: No), the operational flowreturns to the step S21, continuing the record processing. On the otherhand, if supposed to be ended (step S29: Yes), a series of recordprocessing ends.

As described above, the information recording/reproducing apparatus 500performs the record processing in the case of using the already preparedTS object.

Incidentally, the example in FIG. 10 shows that the logical informationfile data D4 and the corresponding TS object data D2 are outputted inthe step S26, after preparing the logical information file data D4 inthe step S25. However, it is also possible to execute the output of theTS object data D2 and/or the record of the TS object data D2 onto theoptical disc 100 before the step S25, and after or in parallel with thisrecording, it is possible to generate and record the logical informationfile data D4.

(i-2) The Case of Receiving and Recording the Transport Stream on Air

This case will be explained with reference to FIG. 9 and FIG. 11.Incidentally, in FIG. 11, the same steps as those in FIG. 10 have thesame step reference numbers, and their explanation will be omitted asoccasion demands.

Again, in this case, the similar processing is performed, as is “thecase of using the already prepared TS object” described above.Therefore, focusing on the differences from this case, the explanationwill be done hereinafter.

In the case of receiving and recording the transport stream on air, orthe transport stream being broadcasted, the TS object data source 700 isprovided with a receiver (set top box) for receiving the digitalbroadcast on air, for example, receives the TS object data D1, andtransmits it to the formatter 608 in real time (step S41). At the sametime, reception information D3 (i.e. information corresponding to thedata transmitted through the receiver and the interface of the systemcontroller 520) including the program construction information and theES_PID information, as described later, which are deciphered uponreceiving is taken into the system controller 520 and is stored into thememory 530 (step S44).

In the meantime, the TS object data D1 outputted to the formatter 608 isoutputted to the modulator 606 by the switching-control of the formatter608 (step S42), and is recorded onto the optical disc 100 (step S43).

Along with these operations, using the program construction informationand the ES_PID information included in the reception information D3taken-in upon receiving and stored in the memory 530, the filesystem/logical structure data generator 521 prepares the logicalinformation file data D4 (step S24 and step S25). Then, after completingthe record of a series of the TS object data D1, this logicalinformation file data D4 is additionally recorded onto the optical disc100 (step S46 and step S47). Incidentally, these step S24 and step S25may be performed after the step S43.

Moreover, as the occasion demands (e.g. in the case of editing oneportion of the title, or the like), by adding the user input I2 of thetitle information and the like from the user interface 720 to theprogram construction information and the ES_PID information stored inthe memory 530, it is possible to prepare the logical information filedata D4 by the system controller 520 and additionally record this ontothe optical disc 100.

As described above, the information recording/reproducing apparatus 500performs the record processing in the case of receiving the transportstream on air and recording it in real time.

Incidentally, if all the reception data obtained when broadcasting isonce stored into an archive apparatus, and then, if this is used as theTS object source 700, the same processing as that in “the case of usingthe already prepared TS object” will do.

(i-3) The Case of Recording the Video Data, the Audio Data, and the SubPicture Data

This case will be explained with reference to FIG. 9 and FIG. 12.Incidentally, in FIG. 12, the same steps as those in FIG. 10 have thesame step reference numbers, and their explanation will be omitted asoccasion demands.

In the case of recording the video data, the audio data, and the subpicture data, which are individually prepared in advance, the video datasource 711, the audio data source 712, and the sub picture data source713 are individually provided with the record storage, such as a videotape and a memory, and store a video data DV, an audio data DA, and asub picture data DS, respectively.

These data sources are controlled by the control signal Sc8 giving aninstruction for reading out the data from the system controller 520, andthey transmit the video data DV, the audio data DA, and the sub picturedata DS, to the video encoder 611, the audio encoder 612, and the subpicture encoder 613, respectively (step S61). Then, the video encoder611, the audio encoder 612, and the sub picture encoder 613 execute apredetermined type of encode processing (step S62).

The TS object generator 610 is controlled by a control signal Sc6 fromthe system controller 520 and converts the data encoded in this mannerto the TS object data constituting the transport stream (step S63). Inthis case, the data array information of each TS object data (e.g. arecord data length and the like) and the construction information ofeach elementary stream (e.g. the ES_PID, as described later, and thelike) are transmitted from the TS object generator 610 as information I6to the system controller 520 and are stored into the memory 530 (stepS66).

On the other hand, the TS object data generated by the TS objectgenerator 610 is transmitted to the {circle over (2)} side of the switchSw1 of the formatter 608. Namely, when formatting the TS object datafrom the TS object generator 610, the formatter 608 isswitching-controlled by the switch control signal Sc5 from the systemcontroller 520 to change the switch Sw1 to the {circle over (2)} sideand the switch Sw2 to the {circle over (1)} side, thereby outputting theTS object data (step S64). Then, this TS object data is recorded ontothe optical disc 100 through the modulator 606 (step S65).

Along with these operations, using the data array information of each TSobject data and the construction information of each elementary streamtaken into the memory 530 as the information I6, the file system/logicalstructure data generator 521 prepares the logical information file dataD4 (step S24 and step S25). Then, after completing the record of aseries of the TS object data D1, this is additionally recorded onto theoptical disc 100 (step S67 and step S68). Incidentally, the step S24 andthe step S25 may be processed after the step S65.

Moreover, as the occasion demands (e.g. in the case of editing oneportion of the title), by adding the user input I2 such as the titleinformation and the like form the user interface 720 onto theseinformation stored in the memory 530, it is possible to prepare thelogical information file data D4 with the file system/logical structuregenerator 521 and additionally record this onto the optical disc 100.

As described above, the information recording/reproducing apparatus 500performs the record processing in the case of the recording the videodata, the audio data, and the sub picture data, which are individuallyprepared in advance.

Incidentally, this record processing is applicable even when recordingan arbitrary content the user has.

(i-4) The Case of Recording the Data By Authoring

This case will be explained with reference to FIG. 9 and FIG. 13.Incidentally, in FIG. 13, the same steps as those in FIG. 10 have thesame step reference numbers, and their explanation will be omitted asoccasion demands.

In this case, by combining the above described three types of recordprocessing in the three cases, an authoring system generates the TSobject, the logical information file data, and the like in advance (stepS81), and then completes the processing of switching-control performedat the formatter 608 (step S82). Then, the information obtained by thisoperation is transmitted to the modulator 606 equipped in front ofand/or behind an original disc cutting machine, as the disc image dataD5 (step S83), and this cutting machine prepares the original disc (stepS84).

Especially in this embodiment, in any case of the record operationsexplained with reference to FIG. 9 to FIG. 13, if another title 200obtained by another different reproduction procedure is newly added, theabove-descried title play list 115 (refer to FIGS. 8) as well as otherlogical information related thereto are taken into the system controller520 by the user interface 720 as one portion of the user input I2 of thetitle information or the like. Then, as is the above-described recordprocedure, the logical information file data D4 corresponding to thedisc information file 110 including a new title play list 115 isgenerated by the file system/logical structure data generator 521 on thebasis of the user input I2 of the taken-in title information and thelike and on the basis of the analysis results of the data array of theTS object data 142 and each elementary stream. Then, this data D4 isoutputted to the formatter 608. In this case, if it is necessary toprepare a new play list 126, the newly addition may be performed evenfor the play list information file 120 or the object information file130 to generate the logical information file data D4. The recordprocedure after this is as described above, in any case of the recordprocessing.

(ii) Structure and Operation in Reproduction System

Next, the specific structure and operation of each constitutionalelement constituting the reproduction system in the informationrecording/reproducing apparatus 500 will be explained with reference toFIG. 9 and FIG. 14.

The user interface 720 inputs the title to be reproduced, itsreproduction condition, and the like to the system controller 520 as theuser input I2 of the title information and the like. In this case, theuser interface 720 is controlled by the control signal Sc4 from thesystem controller 520, and it can perform the input processing accordingto the content to be reproduced, such as choosing through a title menuscreen.

Responding to this, the system controller 520 controls the discreproduction with respect to the optical disc 100, and the opticalpickup 502 transmits a reading signal S7 to the demodulator 506.

The demodulator 506 demodulates a recorded signal recorded on theoptical disc 100 from this reading signal S7, and outputs it asdemodulated data D8. The logical information file data (i.e. the filesystem 105, the disc information file 110, the P list information file120, and the object information file 130, shown in FIG. 3) included inthis demodulated data D8 as being a not-multiplexed information part issupplied to the system controller 520. On the basis of this logicalinformation file data, the system controller 520 executes variousreproduction control, such as processing of determining a reproductionaddress and controlling the optical pickup 502.

On the other hand, as for the TS object data included in the demodulateddata D8 as being a multiplexed information part, the demultiplxer 508 iscontrolled by a control signal Sc2 from the system controller 520 todemultiplex the TS object data. Here, the control signal Sc2 istransmitted so as to start demultiplexing when completing an access to areproduction position address by the reproduction control of the systemcontroller 520.

The demultiplexer 508 transmits and supplies the video packet, the audiopacket, and the sub picture packet, to the video decoder 511, the audiodecoder 512, and the sub picture decoder 513, respectively. Then, thevideo data DV, the audio data DA, and the sub picture data DS arerespectively decoded.

Incidentally, the packets included in the transport stream, in each ofwhich the PAT or the PMT is packetized as shown in FIG. 6, arerespectively included as a part of the demodulated data D8; however,they are discarded or abandoned at the demultiplexer 508.

The adder 514 is controlled by a control signal Sc3 giving aninstruction of the mixing from the system controller 520, and mixes orsuperimposes in a predetermined timing the video data DV and the subpicture data DS, which are respectively decoded at the vide decoder 511and the sub picture decoder 513. The result is outputted as a videooutput from the information recording/reproducing apparatus 500 to a TVmonitor, for example.

On the other hand, the audio data DA decoded at the audio decoder 512 isoutputted as an audio output from the information recording/reproducingapparatus 500 to an external speaker, for example.

Here, the specific example of a reproduction processing routine by thesystem controller 520 will be explained with reference to FIG. 14.

In FIG. 14, assume that as an initial condition, the recognition of theoptical disc 100 in the reproduction system and the recognition of avolume structure and a file structure by the file system 105 (refer toFIG. 3) have been already completed by the system controller 520 and thefile system/logical structure data interpret device 522 inside thesystem controller 520. Here, it will be explained the operational flowafter obtaining the total number of the total titles from the disccomprehensive information 112 in the disc information file 110 and thenchoosing or selecting one title from among them.

Firstly, the choice or selection of the title is performed at the userinterface 720 (step S11), and the system controller 520 obtains theinformation about the reproduction sequence from a reading result of thefile system/logical structure data interpret device 522. Morespecifically, it obtains one or a plurality of title play lists 114constituting the selected title 200, one or a plurality of play lists126 specified by those title play lists 114, and the Items 204constituting the play lists 126 (refer to FIG. 7) as the processing ofthe logical hierarchy (step S12).

Then, it obtains the contents of the title play list 115 to bereproduced firstly or secondly (e.g. title play list #1) from among thetitle play lists 115 obtained in the step S12 (step S13).

Then, it executes the Pre command 116 included in the title play list115 obtained in the step S13 (step S14).

Then, it accesses the TS object 142 of the Item 204 to be reproducedfirstly or secondly, on the basis of the play list 126 specified by thetitle play list 115 obtained in the step S13 (step S15). Especially inthe embodiment, the AU information 132I and PU (Presentation Unit)information 302I, which will be described later, are also obtained asthe information stored in the object information file 130. Theseobtained information allow the association or correlation of the abovedescribed logical hierarchy and the object hierarchy (refer to FIG. 7).

Then, it executes the reproduction of the TS object 142 accessed in thestep S15 (step S16).

Then, it judges whether or not there is a Next Item to be reproduced onthe basis of the play list 126 specified by the title play list 115obtained in the step S13 (step S17). If there is (step S17: Yes), theoperational flow returns to the step S15 to repeat the processing of thestep S15 to the step S17. On the other hand, if there is not any NextItem in the step S17 (step S17: No), it executes the Post command 117included in the title play list 115 obtained in the step S13 (step S18).

Next, it judges whether or not there is a Next title play list (Nexttitle P list) to be reproduced in the title play list 115 obtained inthe step S12 (step S19). If there is (step S19: Yes), the operationalflow returns to the step S13 to repeat the processing of the step S13 tothe step S19. For example, in the case of the branch type title (referto FIG. 8(d)), since where to branch is determined after the executionof the Post command 117 in the step S18, it is possible to execute thejudgment in the step S19. On the other hand, if there is not any Nexttitle play list in the step S19 (step S19: No), it ends a series of thereproduction processing.

Incidentally, in this embodiment, it separately executes the obtainmentof the contents of the title play list 115 constituting the title 200 inthe step S12 and the title play list 115 to be reproduced in the stepS13. However, it may execute the obtainment in the step S13 togetherwith the obtainment in the step S12.

(Access Flow in Reproducing)

Next, the flow of the access in reproducing at the informationrecording/reproducing apparatus 500, which uses the title play lists 115(title P lists #1 to #m) and the play lists 126 (P lists #1 to #n) aswell as the AU information 132I and the PU information 302I, as one ofthe features of this embodiment, will be explained as well as thelogical structure of the optical disc 100. FIG. 15 is a schematicdiagram conceptually showing an entire flow of the access inreproducing, in relation to the logical structure of the optical disc100.

In FIG. 15, the logical structure of the optical disc 100 is categorizedbroadly into the following three hierarchies: a logical hierarchy 401;an object hierarchy 403; and a logic-object associating hierarchy 402mutually associating those two hierarchies.

Among them, the logical hierarchy 401 is a hierarchy that logicallyspecifies various logical information to reproduce the desired titlewhen reproducing, as well as the play list to be reproduced and itsconstruction content. In the logical hierarchy 401, disc information 110d indicating the entire titles 200 and the like on the optical disc 100is written within the disc information file 110 (refer to FIG. 3), andfurther, reproduction sequence information 120 d of the entire contentson the optical disc 100 is written within the play list information file120 (refer to FIG. 3). More specifically, as the disc information 110 d,the construction of one or a plurality of title play lists 115constituting each title 200 is written as one portion of the titleinformation table 114 (refer to FIG. 3). Moreover, as the reproductionsequence information 120 d, the construction of one or a plurality ofplay lists 126 is written, each of whose play list numbers is specifiedby the title play list 115. The construction of one or a plurality ofItems 204 is written in each play list 126. Then, in accessing at thetime of the reproduction, the logical hierarchy 401 as described abovespecifies the title 200 to be reproduced and the title play list 115constituting this. By this, the play list 126 corresponding to the title200, and the above-described Pre command 116 and Post command 117 (referto FIGS. 8) are specified, and further the Item 204 corresponding tothis play list 126 is specified.

Therefore, according to this embodiment, by specifying the same playlist 126 using the plurality of title play lists 115, it is possible toconstruct various titles 200 in the logical hierarchy 401 using the sameplay list 126. Moreover, by combining the same play list 126 with thedifferent Pre command 116 and the different Post command 117 asdescribed above to prepare the title play list 115, it is also possibleto construct various titles 200 in the logical hierarchy 401 using thesame play list 126.

Incidentally, more specific data constructions of the disc informationfile 110 for storing the title play list 115, the play list informationfile 120 for storing the play list 126, and the like will be explainedwith reference to FIG. 17 to FIG. 21 later.

Then, the logic-object associating hierarchy 402 is a hierarchy thatspecifies the attribute and the physical storing address of the TSobject data 140 d to be reproduced, so as to specify the combinationand/or the construction of the TS object data 140 d as being the entitydata and perform an address conversion to the object hierarchy 403 fromthe logical hierarchy 401, on the basis of the information specified inthe logical hierarchy 401 as described above. More specifically, in thelogic-object associating hierarchy 402, the object information data 130d, which separates a group of the contents constituting each Item 204into units of the AU 132 and which finely separates each AU 132 intounits of the PU 302, is written in the object information file 130(refer to FIG. 3).

Here, “the PU (Presentation Unit) 302” is a unit of associating andgrouping a plurality of elementary streams for each unit of changing thereproduction. For example, the PU 302 is a unit of grouping theelementary stream packet ID (ES_PID) and the like for each vision of a“multi-vision title”. If there are three audio streams in this PU 302,the user can also freely change three audio (e.g. audio in differentlanguages and the like) while reproducing this vision.

On the other hand, “the AU (Associate Unit) 132” is a unit ofassociating or grouping a plurality of elementary streams, such as thevideo stream, in the TS object used in one title, and is a group of oneor a plurality of PUs 302. More specifically, the AU 132 is a unit ofgrouping the elementary stream packet ID (ES_PID) for each TS object,indirectly through the PU 302. This AU 132 corresponds to a group of aplurality of shows or programs mutually having a special relationshipconsidering the contents, for example, a plurality of shows or programsmutually changeable in multiple broadcasting and the like. Then, the PU302 corresponds to a group of one or a plurality of elementary streams,which belong to the same AU 132 and which constitute a plurality ofshows or programs mutually changeable by the user operation whenreproducing.

Therefore, if the AU 132 to be reproduced is specified, and moreover,the PU 302 is specified, then the elementary stream to be reproduced isspecified. Namely, even if not using the PAT nor the PMT shown in FIG.6, it becomes possible to reproduce the desired elementary stream fromamong the multiplexed and recorded elementary streams from the opticaldisc 100.

The more specific data structure of the AU information 1321 and the PUinformation 302I, which respectively define the AU 132 and the PU 302described above, will be explained later with reference to FIG. 21.

Here, the elementary stream that is actually reproduced is identified orspecified by the ES_PID, which is the packet ID of the elementary stream(refer to FIG. 6), from the PU information 302I. At the same time, byconverting the information indicating the starting time and the endingtime of the reproduction to the address information of the elementarystream, the content in a specific area (or specific time range) of aspecific elementary stream is reproduced.

In this manner, in the logic-object associating hierarchy 402, theaddress conversion to the physical address related to each PU 302 fromthe logical address related to each Item 204 is executed.

Then, the object hierarchy 403 is a physical hierarchy to reproduce theactual TS object data 140 d. In the object hierarchy 403, the TS objectdata 140 d is written within the object data file 140 (refer to FIG. 3).More specifically, the TS packets 146 constituting a plurality ofelementary streams (ES) are multiplexed at each time point, and thearrangement of the TS packets 146 along the time axis enables aplurality of elementary streams to be constructed (refer to FIG. 5).Then, the plurality of TS packets 146 multiplexed at each time point areassociated with the PU 302 identified at the logic-object associatinghierarchy 402, for each elementary stream. Incidentally, it is alsopossible to associate a plurality of PUs 302 with one elementary stream(e.g. to share the elementary stream related to the same audio dataand/or the elementary stream related to the same sub picture data, amonga plurality of changeable shows or programs).

In this manner, in the object hierarchy 403, the actual object data isreproduced using the physical address obtained by the conversion at thelogic-object associating hierarchy 402.

As described above, the three hierarchies shown in FIG. 15 allow theexecution of the access with respect to the optical disc 100 inreproducing.

(iii) Operation in Editing

Next, the operation in the edit of the information recording/reproducingapparatus 500 shown in FIG. 9 will be explained with reference to FIG.16.

Here, as a precondition, the title 200 is assumed to be completed as thetitle of the sequential type (refer to FIG. 8(c)) constructed of thetitle play lists #1 and #2. Namely, the TS object 142 related to aparticular title 200 which is recorded on the optical disc 100 and thecorresponding entire logical information are also assumed to becompleted. Now, taking as an example the edit processing in which thetitle play list #3 is added, under this precondition, as the title playlist 115 which is secondly reproduced of this title 200, as is thespecific example shown in FIG. 8(c), the explanation will go on.Moreover, in this case, the play list 126 which is used on the titleplay list #3 added and the TS object 142 to be reproduced are alsoassumed that they have been already used at another title 200 on theoptical disc 100 (e.g. at the branch type title of the embodiment asshown in FIG. 8(d)); namely, they are assumed to be on the optical disc100 already.

Firstly, edit contents are inputted by the user interface 720 (stepS91). Specifically, the additional contents of the title play list #3are inputted as the second title play list 115 of the title 200. Then,the system controller 520 takes in these additional contents.

Next, the title play list #3 is generated by the file system/logicalstructure data generator 521 on the basis of the taken-in additionalcontents in the step S91 (step S92). Specifically, the play list numberof the play list 126 used on the title play list #3, and the Pre command116 and the Post command 117 required for the play list number aregenerated, and further other information is generated. In this case, thePost command 117 is generated such that the destination of the branchafter the reproduction of the corresponding play list 126 is the titleplay list #2.

Then, the title play lists #1 and #2 are modified by the filesystem/logical structure data generator 521 on the basis of theadditional contents taken in the step S91 (step S93). Specifically, thePre command 116 and the Post command 117 required for the play list 126used on the title play list #2 are generated, and further otherinformation is generated. In this case, the Post command 117 isgenerated such that the destination of the branch after the reproductionof the corresponding play list 126 is nowhere. Moreover, it is notnecessary to modify the play list 126 itself. In the same manner, as forthe Post command 117 of the title play list #1, it is modified such thatthe destination of the branch after the reproduction of thecorresponding play list 126 is the title play list #3.

The order of the processing in the above-described step S92 and step S93may be opposite. By these processing, the edit of the title informationtable 114 stored in the disc information file 110 completes.

Moreover, all of the related information in the disc information file110, such as the disc comprehensive information 112 and the otherinformation 118, is modified by the file system/logical structure datagenerator 521, according to the title play list #3 generated in the stepS91 and the title play list #3 modified in the step S92 (step S94).

Then, the file system 105 is modified by the file system/logicalstructure data generator 521 according to the modification of the discinformation file 110 (step S95).

Then, under the control of the system controller 520, the abovedescribed all information is additionally written onto the optical disc100 (step S96) to end a series of edit operation.

As explained above, according to this embodiment, the title 200 can beedited by generating or modifying the title play list 115 withoutgenerating or modifying the title list 126 itself, so that it ispossible to perform an efficient edit operation as a whole. In addition,this way of editing can avoid the overlapping record of the same titlelist 126, so that it is possible to save the recording capacity of theoptical disc 100, and further it is possible to try to increasereproduction-processing efficiency.

(Each Information File Structure)

Next, with reference to FIG. 17 to FIG. 21, various information filesconstructed on the optical disc 100 in the embodiment, i.e. the datastructures of (1) the disc information file 110, (2) the play listinformation file 120, and (3) the object information file 130, whichhave been explained with reference to FIG. 3, will be explained usingtheir own specific examples.

(1) Disc Information File:

Firstly, with reference to FIG. 17 to FIG. 19, the disc information file110 will be explained in detail using one specific example. FIG. 17 andFIG. 18 are schematic diagrams showing specific examples of the datastructure of the disc information file. FIG. 19 is a schematic diagramshowing a specific example of a command table constructed in the discinformation file 110.

In this specific example as shown in FIG. 17, the disc information file110 stores therein the disc comprehensive information 112, the titleinformation table 114, and the other information 118.

Among them, the disc comprehensive information 112 is comprehensiveinformation, such as disc volume information indicating the serialnumber of one series constructed by a plurality of optical discs 100,total title number information and so on.

The title information table 114 stores therein the entire title playlists 115 constituting each title, the command table on which the Precommand 116 and the Post command 117 are written which are to beexecuted before and after the reproduction of each title play list 115,and the other information, e.g. information for each title, such aschapter information within the title and the like, and includes titlepointer information, title #1 information, title #2 information, and soon. Here, the “title pointer information” is the storing addressinformation of the title #n information, i.e. the storing addressinformation indicating the storing position of the title #n informationin the title information table 114, as the correspondence relationshipis indicated with arrows in FIG. 17, and the “title pointer information”is written with a relative logical address. Then, this information ofthe number of titles in the optical disc 100 is arranged in the order ofthe titles as the relative logical address. Incidentally, the dataamount of each storing address information may be a fixed byte or achangeable byte.

The other information 118 is information about each title, such as thetitle type, for example, the sequential type, the branch type, and thelike, which have been already explained with reference to FIGS. 8, andthe total number of play lists.

Next, another specific example of the disc information file is shown inFIG. 18.

In FIG. 18, a disc information file 110′ is a specific example in whichthe title 200 of the “1 title play list type” shown in FIG. 8(b) iswritten by the title #1 information, in which the title 200 of the“sequential type” is written by the title #2 information, and in whichthe title 200 of the “branch type” is written by the title #3information. The basic structure of the disc information file 110′ isthe same as that shown in FIG. 17, in which the disc comprehensiveinformation 112, the title information table 114, and the otherinformation 118 are stored.

Then, especially in this embodiment, the title #1 information of the 1title play list type is constructed of one title play list 115 (title Plist #1).

The title #2 information of the sequential type is constructed of threetitle play lists 115 (title P lists #1 to #3). The title play listnumbers here may be the same as or different from the reproduction orderof the title play lists 115.

The title #3 information of the branch type is constructed of six titleplay lists 115 (title P lists #1 to #6). The title list numbers, exceptthe title play list #1 which is at the head here, do not have anyspecial meaning for the reproduction order. That is, in the case of thetitle of the branch type, the order of the title play lists 115 isarbitrary except the title play list 115 which is at the head.Therefore, even if adding the play list in the reconstructionprocessing, the edit processing, or the like of the title, it is enoughto simply add the title play list number last, and while doing that, itis enough to apply a change onto each command table in the title #ninformation as occasion demands.

The three title information #1, #2, and #3 as constructed above isstored as the title information table 114 in the format of a table foreach title in the disc information file 110′.

Next, the specific example of the command table will be explained withreference to FIG. 19.

In the specific example shown in FIG. 19, a command table 115T′ isconstructed to include four fields, such as a command pointer 115P″, aPre command pointer 116P, a Post command pointer 117P, and a commandtable 115T″.

In the command pointer 115P″, as the correspondence relationship isindicated with arrows in FIG. 19, the start addresses of the Pre commandpointer 116P, the Post command pointer 117P, and the command table 115T″are written as relative addresses, and further, the total Pre commandpointer number (the total Pre command number) and the total Post commandpointer number (the total Post command number) are written. In the Precommand pointer 116P whose address is specified by the command pointer115P″, there are written command numbers (e.g. command #3) of thecommands used as the Pre commands 116 in the command table 115T″. On theother hand, in the Post command pointer 117P whose address is specifiedby the command pointer 115P″, there are written command numbers (e.g.command #4) of the commands used as the Post commands 117 in the commandtable 115T″. Moreover, in the command table 115T″ on which the commandnumbers are specified by the Pre command pointer 116P or the Postcommand pointer 117P, there are written statements, each of which isabout 2 bytes, for example, as commands used as the Pre commands 116 orthe Post commands 117.

Incidentally, in the specific example shown in FIG. 19, it is possibleto divide the command table 115T″ into two, one for Pre command and theother for Post command.

(2) Play List Information File:

Next, with reference to FIG. 20, the play list information file 120 willbe explained in detail using one specific example. FIG. 20 is aschematic diagram showing one specific example of the data structure onthe play list information table 121 constructed in the play listinformation file 120.

In this specific example, as shown in FIG. 20, the play list informationfile 120 stores therein play list comprehensive information 122, a playlist pointer table 124, and a play list #n information table 126 (i=1,2, 3, 4), for each Field type, as the play list information table 121(refer to FIG. 3).

Each Field may have a structure that allows the necessary number of eachtable to be added. For example, if there are ten play lists, therelative Field may increase to ten Fields under this structure, and sodoes the Item information table.

Incidentally, the total number of Items constituting each of the playlists #1 to #4 is 3, 1, 2, and 1, respectively.

Among them, the play list comprehensive information (P listcomprehensive information) 122 describes therein the size of the playlist table, the total number of play lists, and the like.

The play list pointer table (P list pointer table) 124 describes thereonthe storing address of each play list information by each play listpointer (P list #1 pointer to P list #4 pointer).

The play list #1 information table (P list #1 information table) 126stores therein comprehensive information about the play list #1, theItem information table of the play list #1 (P list Item informationtable) and the other information. The play list #2 information table126, the play list #3 information table 126, and the play list #4information table 126 also store therein the same type of informationrelated to the play lists #2, #3, and #4, respectively.

The “Item information table” stores therein the Item information of thetotal number of Items constituting one play list. Here, an AU number inthe AU (Associate Unit) table written in the “Item #1 (Item #1information)” or the “Item #2 (Item #2 information)” is the number ofthe AU, which stores information for specifying the address of the TSobject to be used for the Item reproduction, or specifying eachelementary stream (i.e. the video stream, the audio stream, or the subpicture stream) in the TS object to be used for the Item reproduction.

In this embodiment, as explained with reference to FIG. 17 to FIG. 20,the title 200 is constructed of one or more title play lists 115. Onetitle play list 115 is constructed of the Pre command 116, the Postcommand 117, the other logical information and the play list 126 whichis a group of Items 204 to be reproduced. In one title #n information,the whole title play lists 115 are stored, and the play list numberwhich is specified by one title play list 115 is the play list numberstored in the play list information file 120.

(3) Object Information File:

Next, with reference to FIG. 21, the object information file 130 will beexplained in detail using one specific example. FIG. 21 is a schematicdiagram showing one specific example of the data structures on the AUtable 131 (refer to FIG. 3) constructed in the object information file130 and on the ES map table 134 (refer to FIG. 3) related to the AUtable 131.

In this specific example, as shown in FIG. 21, the object informationfile 130 stores therein object information tables. The objectinformation tables comprise the AU table 131 shown in the upper part ofFIG. 21 and the ES map table 134 shown in the lower part.

In the upper part of FIG. 21, the AU table 131 may have a structure thatallows the necessary number of tables for each Field to be added. Forexample, if there are four AUs, the relative Field may increase to fourFields under this structure.

The AU table 131 stores therein “AU table comprehensive information” inwhich the number of AUs and the pointer to each AU, and the like arewritten, and “the other information.”

The AU table 131 describes therein the Index number (Index number=. . .) of the corresponding ES map table 134, as the AU information 132Iindicating an ES table Index #m in each PU #m corresponding to each AU#n. Here, the “AU” is a unit corresponding to a “show” in TV broadcast,for example, as mentioned above (especially, in the case of“multi-vision” broadcasting, it is a unit of a group of a plurality of“visions” which are changeable or selectable), and it includes one ormore PUs, each of which is a reproduction unit. Moreover, the “PU” is agroup of mutually changeable elementary streams which are included ineach AU, as described above, and the ES table Index #m corresponding toeach PU is specified by the PU information 302I. For example, in thecase of constructing multi-view contents with the AU, the AU storestherein a plurality of PUs, and each PU stores therein the pointers to aplurality of elementary stream packet IDs, which indicate the packetsconstituting the content of each view. This indicates the Index numberin the ES map table 134, as described later.

In the lower part of FIG. 21, the ES map table 134 stores therein ES maptable comprehensive information, a plurality of Indexes #m (m=1, 2, . .. ), and the “other information”, for each Field.

The “ES map table comprehensive information” describes therein the sizeof the ES map table, the total number of Indexes, and the like.

The “Index #m” includes the elementary stream packet IDs (ES_PIDs) ofthe entire elementary streams to be used for the reproduction, thecorresponding Index numbers, and the address information of theelementary stream.

Constructed as described above, it is possible to obtain the elementarystream packet ID (ES_PID) of the actual elementary stream from the Indexnumber of the ES map 134 specified from the AU table 131. Moreover,since the address information of the elementary stream corresponding tothe elementary stream packet ID can be obtained at the same time, it ispossible to reproduce the object data on the basis of these information.

As explained in detail with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 21, in thisembodiment, the number of the play list, which is a group of the Precommand 116, the Post command 117, and the Item 204 to be reproduced, iswritten in one title play list 115, and this is stored in the discinformation file 110. On the other hand, as for the play list itself, itis separately stored in the play list information file 120. Therefore,even in the case of adding a different reproduction condition or abranch condition to the same play list 115, the different title 200 canbe logically constructed easily by adding the title #n information inwhich a new title play list 115 is simply given. In this case, byavoiding the verbose description of the play list 126, it is possible toreduce the data volume of the play list 126 and save the recordingcapacity on the optical disc 100.

Moreover, these benefits are useful in an authoring operation for a ROMtype media preparation and in an edit operation at a recorder for civiluse. It is extremely simple to execute an adding operation such asadding any Pre command 116, Post command 117, or reproduction conditionafter the logical preparation of the play list 126 for the prepared TSobject 142, which is extremely useful.

Incidentally, the optical disc 100 as one example of the informationrecording medium and a recorder or a player related to the optical disc100 as one example of the information recording/reproducing apparatusare explained in the above described embodiment; however, the presentinvention is not limited to the optical disc, and the recorder or theplayer. The present invention is available for the other variousinformation recording/reproducing media corresponding to the highdensity recording or the high transmission rate, and their recorders orplayers.

According to this embodiment, as described above in detail, it ispossible to efficiently record onto the information recording medium oneor a plurality of titles provided with complicated and a large amount ofcontent information that enables the interactive or specialreproduction, for example, and to efficiently reproduce a desired one ofthem relatively easily.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments,and changes may be made if desired without departing from the scope orspirit of the invention which can be read from the claims and the entirespecification. An information recording medium, an apparatus for and amethod of recording the information, an apparatus for and a method ofreproducing the information, an apparatus for and a method of recordingand reproducing the information, a computer program for controlling therecord or the reproduction, and a data structure including a controlsignal that accompany such changes are also intended to be within thetechnical scope of the present invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

An information recording medium, a apparatus for and a method ofrecording the information, an apparatus for and a method of reproducingthe information, an apparatus for and a method of recording andreproducing the information, a computer program for controlling therecord or the reproduction, and a data structure including a controlsignal that are associated with the present invention can be applied toa high-density optical disc for consumer or industrial use, such as aDVD, on which various information, such as the video information, theaudio information, the sub picture information, and the reproductioncontrol information, can be recorded at high density and further can beapplied to a DVD player, a DVD recorder, and the like. Moreover, theycan be applied to an information recording medium, an informationrecording/reproducing apparatus, or the like, which are inserted in orcan be connected to various computer equipment for consumer orindustrial use, for example.

1-14. (cancelled).
 15. An information recording medium on which one or aplurality of titles, each of which is a logically-grouped informationunit, are recorded, said information recording medium comprising: anobject data file for storing object data which constitutes a series ofcontent information; a play list information file for storing aplurality of play list information which defines a reproduction sequenceof the object data stored in said object data file by a unit of playlist which is logically accessible; and a disc information file forstoring a plurality of information groups including, as reproductioncontrol information for controlling the reproduction of said object datafile, (i) play list specification information for specifying one playlist information which defines the play list to be reproduced from amongthe plurality of play list information stored in said play listinformation file, (ii) Pre command information which indicates a commandto be executed before the reproduction based on the one play listinformation, and (iii) Post command information which indicates acommand to be executed after the reproduction based on the one play listinformation, the title being logically comprising one or more than oneof the plurality of information groups, the Pre command information andthe Post command information including a command table on which acommand group comprising zero, one or more statements are written, thePre command information including a Pre command pointer which is writtenseparately from the command table and which specifies the address of thecommand to be executed before the reproduction included in the commandtable, the Post command information including a Post command pointerwhich is written separately from the command table and which specifiesthe address of the command to be executed after the reproductionincluded in the command table, the Pre command information and the Postcommand information including a command pointer which specifies theaddress of each of the Pre command pointer and the Post command pointer.16. The information recording medium according to claim 15, wherein theobject data is constructed such that an entire stream including aplurality of portion streams, each of which comprises the contentinformation, is multiplexed by a unit of packet, which is a physicallyaccessible unit and which stores therein a piece of the contentinformation, said information recording medium further comprising anobject information file for storing correspondence definitioninformation which defines the correspondence relationship between aplurality of packets to be multiplexed and the plurality of portionstreams as another reproduction control information for controlling thereproduction of said object data file.
 17. The information recordingmedium according to claim 16, wherein said play list information file iscollectively recorded in one area on said information recording medium,said disc information file is collectively recorded in another area onsaid information recording medium, and said object information file iscollectively recorded in another area on said information recordingmedium.
 18. The information recording medium according to claim 15,wherein said play list information file is collectively recorded in onearea on said information recording medium, and said disc informationfile is collectively recorded in another area on said informationrecording medium.
 19. An information recording apparatus for recordingone or a plurality of titles, each of which is a logically-groupedinformation unit, onto an information recording medium, said informationrecording apparatus comprising: a first recording device for recordingan object data file for storing object data which constitutes a seriesof content information; a second recording device for recording a playlist information file for storing a plurality of play list informationwhich defines a reproduction sequence of the object data stored in saidobject data file by a unit of play list which is logically accessible;and a third recording device for recording a disc information file forstoring a plurality of information groups including, as reproductioncontrol information for controlling the reproduction of said object datafile, (i) play list specification information for specifying one playlist information which defines the play list to be reproduced from amongthe plurality of play list information stored in said play listinformation file, (ii) Pre command information which indicates a commandto be executed before the reproduction based on the one play listinformation, and (iii) Post command information which indicates acommand to be executed after the reproduction based on the one play listinformation, the title being logically comprising one or more than oneof the information groups, the Pre command information and the Postcommand information including a command table on which a command groupcomprising zero, one or more statements are written, the Pre commandinformation including a Pre command pointer which is written separatelyfrom the command table and which specifies the address of the command tobe executed before the reproduction included in the command table, thePost command information including a Post command pointer which iswritten separately from the command table and which specifies theaddress of the command to be executed after the reproduction included inthe command table, the Pre command information and the Post commandinformation including a command pointer which specifies the address ofeach of the Pre command pointer and the Post command pointer.
 20. Aninformation recording method of recording one or a plurality of titles,each of which is a logically-grouped information unit, onto aninformation recording medium, said information recording methodcomprising: a first recording process of recording an object data filefor storing object data which constitutes a series of contentinformation; a second recording process of recording a play listinformation file for storing a plurality of play list information whichdefines a reproduction sequence of the object data stored in said objectdata file by a unit of play list which is logically accessible; and athird recording process of recording a disc information file for storinga plurality of information groups including, as reproduction controlinformation for controlling the reproduction of said object data file,(i) play list specification information for specifying one play listinformation which defines the play list to be reproduced from among theplurality of play list information stored in said play list informationfile, (ii) Pre command information which indicates a command to beexecuted before the reproduction based on the one play list information,and (iii) Post command information which indicates a command to beexecuted after the reproduction based on the one play list information,the title being logically comprising one or more than one of theinformation groups, the Pre command information and the Post commandinformation including a command table on which a command groupcomprising zero, one or more statements are written, the Pre commandinformation including a Pre command pointer which is written separatelyfrom the command table and which specifies the address of the command tobe executed before the reproduction included in the command table, thePost command information including a Post command pointer which iswritten separately from the command table and which specifies theaddress of the command to be executed after the reproduction included inthe command table, the Pre command information and the Post commandinformation including a command pointer which specifies the address ofeach of the Pre command pointer and the Post command pointer.
 21. Aninformation reproducing apparatus for reproducing at least one portionof recorded titles from an information recording medium on which one orthe plurality of titles, each of which is a logically-groupedinformation unit, are recorded, said information recording mediumcomprising: an object data file for storing object data whichconstitutes a series of content information; a play list informationfile for storing a plurality of play list information which defines areproduction sequence of the object data stored in said object data fileby a unit of play list which is logically accessible; and a discinformation file for storing a plurality of information groupsincluding, as reproduction control information for controlling thereproduction of said object data file, (i) play list specificationinformation for specifying one play list information which defines theplay list to be reproduced from among the plurality of play listinformation stored in said play list information file, (ii) Pre commandinformation which indicates a command to be executed before thereproduction based on the one play list information, and (iii) Postcommand information which indicates a command to be executed after thereproduction based on the one play list information, the title beinglogically comprising one or more than one of the plurality ofinformation groups, the Pre command information and the Post commandinformation including a command table on which a command groupcomprising zero, one or more statements are written, the Pre commandinformation including a Pre command pointer which is written separatelyfrom the command table and which specifies the address of the command tobe executed before the reproduction included in the command table, thePost command information including a Post command pointer which iswritten separately from the command table and which specifies theaddress of the command to be executed after the reproduction included inthe command table, the Pre command information and the Post commandinformation including a command pointer which specifies the address ofeach of the Pre command pointer and the Post command pointer, saidinformation reproducing apparatus comprising: a reading device forphysically reading information from said information recording medium;and a reproducing device for reproducing the object data included in theinformation read by said reading device, on the basis of thereproduction control information and the play list information includedin the information read by said reading device.
 22. An informationreproducing method of reproducing at least one portion of recordedtitles from an information recording medium on which one or theplurality of titles, each of which is a logically-grouped informationunit, are recorded, said information recording medium comprising: anobject data file for storing object data which constitutes a series ofcontent information; a play list information file for storing aplurality of play list information which defines a reproduction sequenceof the object data stored in said object data file by a unit of playlist which is logically accessible; and a disc information file forstoring a plurality of information groups including, as reproductioncontrol information for controlling the reproduction of said object datafile, (i) play list specification information for specifying one playlist information which defines the play list to be reproduced from amongthe plurality of play list information stored in said play listinformation file, (ii) Pre command information which indicates a commandto be executed before the reproduction based on the one play listinformation, and (iii) Post command information which indicates acommand to be executed after the reproduction based on the one play listinformation, the title being logically comprising one or more than oneof the plurality of information groups, the Pre command information andthe Post command information including a command table on which acommand group comprising zero, one or more statements are written, thePre command information including a Pre command pointer which is writtenseparately from the command table and which specifies the address of thecommand to be executed before the reproduction included in the commandtable, the Post command information including a Post command pointerwhich is written separately from the command table and which specifiesthe address of the command to be executed after the reproductionincluded in the command table, the Pre command information and the Postcommand information including a command pointer which specifies theaddress of each of the Pre command pointer and the Post command pointer,said information reproducing method comprising: a reading process ofphysically reading information from said information recording medium;and a reproducing process of reproducing the object data included in theinformation read by said reading device, on the basis of thereproduction control information and the play list information includedin the information read by said reading device.
 23. An informationrecording and reproducing apparatus for recording one or a plurality oftitles onto and reproducing at least one portion of the recorded titlesfrom an information recording medium on which one or the plurality oftitles, each of which is a logically-grouped information unit, arerecorded, said information recording medium comprising: an object datafile for storing object data which constitutes a series of contentinformation; a play list information file for storing a plurality ofplay list information which defines a reproduction sequence of theobject data stored in said object data file by a unit of play list whichis logically accessible; and a disc information file for storing aplurality of information groups including, as reproduction controlinformation for controlling the reproduction of said object data file,(i) play list specification information for specifying one play listinformation which defines the play list to be reproduced from among theplurality of play list information stored in said play list informationfile, (ii) Pre command information which indicates a command to beexecuted before the reproduction based on the one play list information,and (iii) Post command information which indicates a command to beexecuted after the reproduction based on the one play list information,the title being logically comprising one or more than one of theplurality of information groups, the Pre command information and thePost command information including a command table on which a commandgroup comprising zero, one or more statements are written, the Precommand information including a Pre command pointer which is writtenseparately from the command table and which specifies the address of thecommand to be executed before the reproduction included in the commandtable, the Post command information including a Post command pointerwhich is written separately from the command table and which specifiesthe address of the command to be executed after the reproductionincluded in the command table, the Pre command information and the Postcommand information including a command pointer which specifies theaddress of each of the Pre command pointer and the Post command pointer,said information recording and reproducing apparatus comprising: a firstrecording device for recording the object data file; a second recordingdevice for recording the play list information file; a third recordingdevice for recording the disc information file; a reading device forphysically reading information from said information recording medium;and a reproducing device for reproducing the object data included in theinformation read by said reading device, on the basis of thereproduction control information and the play list information includedin the information read by said reading device.
 24. An informationrecording and reproducing method of recording one or a plurality oftitles onto and reproducing at least one portion of the recorded titlesfrom an information recording medium on which one or the plurality oftitles, each of which is a logically-grouped information unit, arerecorded, said information recording medium comprising: an object datafile for storing object data which constitutes a series of contentinformation; a play list information file for storing a plurality ofplay list information which defines a reproduction sequence of theobject data stored in said object data file by a unit of play list whichis logically accessible; and a disc information file for storing aplurality of information groups including, as reproduction controlinformation for controlling the reproduction of said object data file,(i) play list specification information for specifying one play listinformation which defines the play list to be reproduced from among theplurality of play list information stored in said play list informationfile, (ii) Pre command information which indicates a command to beexecuted before the reproduction based on the one play list information,and (iii) Post command information which indicates a command to beexecuted after the reproduction based on the one play list information,the title being logically comprising one or more than one of theplurality of information groups, the Pre command information and thePost command information including a command table on which a commandgroup comprising zero, one or more statements are written, the Precommand information including a Pre command pointer which is writtenseparately from the command table and which specifies the address of thecommand to be executed before the reproduction included in the commandtable, the Post command information including a Post command pointerwhich is written separately from the command table and which specifiesthe address of the command to be executed after the reproductionincluded in the command table, the Pre command information and the Postcommand information including a command pointer which specifies theaddress of each of the Pre command pointer and the Post command pointer,said information recording and reproducing method comprising: a firstrecording process of recording the object data file; a second recordingprocess of recording the play list information file; a third recordingprocess of recording the disc information file; a reading process ofphysically reading information from the information recording medium;and a reproducing process of reproducing the object data included in theinformation read by said reading device, on the basis of thereproduction control information and the play list information includedin the information read by said reading device.
 25. A computer programproduct for controlling record and for tangibly embodying a program ofinstructions executable by a computer to make the computer function asat least one portion of a first recording device, a second recordingdevice, and a third recording device, the computer being provided in aninformation recording apparatus for recording one or a plurality oftitles, each of which is a logically-grouped information unit, onto aninformation recording medium, said information recording apparatuscomprising: said first reading device for recording an object data filefor storing object data which constitutes a series of contentinformation; said second recording device for recording a play listinformation file for storing a plurality of play list information whichdefines a reproduction sequence of the object data stored in said objectdata file by a unit of play list which is logically accessible; and saidthird recording device for recording a disc information file for storinga plurality of information groups including, as reproduction controlinformation for controlling the reproduction of said object data file,(i) play list specification information for specifying one play listinformation which defines the play list to be reproduced from among theplurality of play list information stored in said play list informationfile, (ii) Pre command information which indicates a command to beexecuted before the reproduction based on the one play list information,and (iii) Post command information which indicates a command to beexecuted after the reproduction based on the one play list information,the title being logically comprising one or more than one of theinformation groups, the Pre command information and the Post commandinformation including a command table on which a command groupcomprising zero, one or more statements are written, the Pre commandinformation including a Pre command pointer which is written separatelyfrom the command table and which specifies the address of the command tobe executed before the reproduction included in the command table, thePost command information including a Post command pointer which iswritten separately from the command table and which specifies theaddress of the command to be executed after the reproduction included inthe command table, the Pre command information and the Post commandinformation including a command pointer which specifies the address ofeach of the Pre command pointer and the Post command pointer.
 26. Acomputer program product for controlling reproduction and for tangiblyembodying a program of instructions executable by a computer to make thecomputer function as at least one portion of a reading device and areproducing device, the computer being provided in An informationreproducing apparatus for reproducing at least one portion of recordedtitles from an information recording medium on which one or theplurality of titles, each of which is a logically-grouped informationunit, are recorded, said information recording medium comprising: anobject data file for storing object data which constitutes a series ofcontent information; a play list information file for storing aplurality of play list information which defines a reproduction sequenceof the object data stored in said object data file by a unit of playlist which is logically accessible; and a disc information file forstoring a plurality of information groups including, as reproductioncontrol information for controlling the reproduction of said object datafile, (i) play list specification information for specifying one playlist information which defines the play list to be reproduced from amongthe plurality of play list information stored in said play listinformation file, (ii) Pre command information which indicates a commandto be executed before the reproduction based on the one play listinformation, and (iii) Post command information which indicates acommand to be executed after the reproduction based on the one play listinformation, the title being logically comprising one or more than oneof the plurality of information groups, the Pre command information andthe Post command information including a command table on which acommand group comprising zero, one or more statements are written, thePre command information including a Pre command pointer which is writtenseparately from the command table and which specifies the address of thecommand to be executed before the reproduction included in the commandtable, the Post command information including a Post command pointerwhich is written separately from the command table and which specifiesthe address of the command to be executed after the reproductionincluded in the command table, the Pre command information and the Postcommand information including a command pointer which specifies theaddress of each of the Pre command pointer and the Post command pointer,said information reproducing apparatus comprising: said reading devicefor physically reading information from said information recordingmedium; and said reproducing device for reproducing the object dataincluded in the information read by said reading device, on the basis ofthe reproduction control information and the play list informationincluded in the information read by said reading device.
 27. A computerprogram product for controlling record and reproduction and for tangiblyembodying a program of instructions executable by a computer to make thecomputer function as at least one portion of a first recording device, asecond recording device, a third recording device, a reading device, anda reproducing device, the computer being provided in An informationrecording and reproducing apparatus for recording one or a plurality oftitles onto and reproducing at least one portion of the recorded titlesfrom an information recording medium on which one or the plurality oftitles, each of which is a logically-grouped information unit, arerecorded, said information recording medium comprising: an object datafile for storing object data which constitutes a series of contentinformation; a play list information file for storing a plurality ofplay list information which defines a reproduction sequence of theobject data stored in said object data file by a unit of play list whichis logically accessible; and a disc information file for storing aplurality of information groups including, as reproduction controlinformation for controlling the reproduction of said object data file,(i) play list specification information for specifying one play listinformation which defines the play list to be reproduced from among theplurality of play list information stored in said play list informationfile, (ii) Pre command information which indicates a command to beexecuted before the reproduction based on the one play list information,and (iii) Post command information which indicates a command to beexecuted after the reproduction based on the one play list information,the title being logically comprising one or more than one of theplurality of information groups, the Pre command information and thePost command information including a command table on which a commandgroup comprising zero, one or more statements are written, the Precommand information including a Pre command pointer which is writtenseparately from the command table and which specifies the address of thecommand to be executed before the reproduction included in the commandtable, the Post command information including a Post command pointerwhich is written separately from the command table and which specifiesthe address of the command to be executed after the reproductionincluded in the command table, the Pre command information and the Postcommand information including a command pointer which specifies theaddress of each of the Pre command pointer and the Post command pointer,said information recording and reproducing apparatus comprising: saidfirst recording device for recording the objects data file; said secondrecording device for recording the play list information file; saidthird recording device for recording the disc information file; saidreading device for physically reading information from said informationrecording medium; and said reproducing device for reproducing the objectdata included in the information read by said reading device, on thebasis of the reproduction control information and the play listinformation included in the information read by said reading device. 28.A data structure including a control signal, which includes one or aplurality of titles, each of which is a logically-grouped informationunit, said data structure comprising: an object data file for storingobject data which constitutes a series of content information; a playlist information file for storing a plurality of play list informationwhich defines a reproduction sequence of the object data stored in saidobject data file by a unit of play list which is logically accessible;and a disc information file for storing a plurality of informationgroups including, as reproduction control information for controllingthe reproduction of said object data file, (i) play list specificationinformation for specifying one play list information which defines theplay list to be reproduced from among the plurality of play listinformation stored in said play list information file, (ii) Pre commandinformation which indicates a command to be executed before thereproduction based on the one play list information, and (iii) Postcommand information which indicates a command to be executed after thereproduction based on the one play list information, the title beinglogically comprising one or more than one of the plurality ofinformation groups, the Pre command information and the Post commandinformation including a command table on which a command groupcomprising zero, one or more statements are written, the Pre commandinformation including a Pre command pointer which is written separatelyfrom the command table and which specifies the address of the command tobe executed before the reproduction included in the command table, thePost command information including a Post command pointer which iswritten separately from the command table and which specifies theaddress of the command to be executed after the reproduction included inthe command table, the Pre command information and the Post commandinformation including a command pointer which specifies the address ofeach of the Pre command pointer and the Post command pointer.